SAN DIEGO – For the third year in a row, San Diego LGBT Pride is inviting active duty and veteran servicemembers to participate in a special military contingent leading the 39th annual Pride parade  Saturday, July 13 at 11 a.m.

San Diego Pride made in history in 2011 by hosting the first active duty military contingent in a Pride parade in the United States while “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was still in effect. In 2012, San Diego Pride achieved another milestone by getting approval from the Department of Defense for active duty servicemembers to wear their uniforms in that year’s parade.

Pride welcomes members of the armed forces – active duty and veterans – as well as their loved ones and family to lead the annual Pride parade as part of the military contingent.

“The promise of America grounded in the Constitution, contained in our Pledge of Allegiance, inscribed on the Statue of Liberty, and enunciated by generations of our nation’s leaders is that America stands for liberty, for justice, and equality for all.  It is an honor to continue the tradition of reflecting those values in our 39th annual event,” said Fernando Lopez, San Diego LGBT Pride public affairs director.

Participants in the military contingent are highly encouraged to wear their uniforms, however San Diego Pride reminds them that they must seek out and receive approval from their commanding officers in order to do so. If approval is not granted or if individual participants wish to wear attire other than their uniform, servicemembers are asked to wear a branch specific T-shirt.

To participate in the contingent, visit www.sdpride.org/military and fill out the short registration form. Additional information about the contingent will be sent out to participants after they register.

Further, an information session will be held for military contingent participants who are 21 and older  Thursday, July 11 from 6-7 p.m. at Bourbon Street Bar & Grill, 4612 Park Blvd., in University Heights.

Additional information about the military contingent is online at www.sdpride.org/military.

NEW YORK (CNN) — While meningitis has reached an all-time low in the United States, an op-ed in this week’s Annals of Internal Medicine highlights cases of a deadly meningitis strain among men who have sex with men.

Cities including New York, Toronto, and San Francisco have launched public awareness campaigns to promote vaccination, but the authors also call on physicians to assess the risk to their patients and discuss the strain.

Since August 2010, 22 cases have been reported in New York City among men who have sex with men. More than half of those were already HIV positive. Seven men died.  In fact, in New York City last year, men who have sex with men were 50 times more likely than the general population to be infected with the virus, according to city health officials.

Meningitis can be spread by close contact such as kissing or sharing cigarettes. Early symptoms of infection can include flu-like symptoms, sepsis and rash. Death is common within 24 hours of first exhibiting symptoms.

And the disease isn’t limited to New York. Four cases have also been reported in Los Angeles since December, officials said.

Public health officials are already sounding the alarm. In New York City, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene recommends that all men who have sex with men be vaccinated against the deadly virus, as it can be spread via intimate contact.  In New York state, insurers are mandated to cover the vaccine.

Since last October, the department has vaccinated more than 11,000 people and no new cases have been reported since February.

With upcoming Gay Pride festivities slated for the end of the month, health departments in other cities are advising those traveling to New York for the events be vaccinated. It’s not the first time events have been targeted, as mass gatherings have been associated with outbreaks in the past. In fact, all those making pilgrimages to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for the annual Hajj are also required to be vaccinated.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today released the nation’s first-ever national study examining housing discrimination against same-sex couples in the private rental market.  The study, An Estimate of Housing Discrimination Against Same-Sex Couples, measures the treatment same-sex couples receive from rental agents when inquiring about apartments advertised online, as compared to how otherwise similar heterosexual couples are treated.

According to HUD’s study, same-sex couples experience unequal treatment more often than heterosexual couples when responding to internet ads for rental units, and findings show that gay male couples experience more discrimination than lesbian couples.

“President Obama and this administration have been unmatched in our efforts to ensure equal and fair treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons and communities,” said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan.  “Following the president’s lead, HUD has taken historic steps in the area of fair housing to ensure that we fulfill our nation’s commitment to equality.  As this study shows, we need to continue our efforts to ensure that everyone is treated the same when it comes to finding a home to call their own, regardless of their sexual orientation.”

“A person’s sexual orientation or gender identity should not be a reason to receive unfavorable treatment when searching for housing,” said Bryan Greene, HUD Acting Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “HUD is committed to making sure that LGBT individuals have equal access to housing opportunities.”

HUD’s study is based on nearly 7,000 email tests conducted in 50 metropolitan markets across the country between June and October of 2011.  For each paired test, two emails were sent to the housing provider regarding the unit advertised online.  The only difference between the emails was whether the couple was same-sex or heterosexual. Unfavorable treatment was measured by whether the tester was told the unit was available, asked to contact the landlord, invited to the see the apartment, or received any response at all.

Key findings of the study showed that:

• Same-sex couples experience discrimination in the online rental housing market, relative to heterosexual couples.
• Adverse treatment is found primarily in the form of same-sex couples receiving fewer responses to the email inquiry than heterosexual couples.
• States with legislative protections show slightly more adverse treatment for gays and lesbians than in states without protections.
• Adverse treatment of same-sex couples is present in every metropolitan area where tests were conducted, but no clear-cut pattern exists in the magnitude of adverse treatment by metropolitan size.

The Fair Housing Act makes it illegal to discriminate in rental, sales and lending on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability and familial status, however it does not include sexual orientation or gender identity as protected classes.  Nonetheless, 20 states and the District of Columbia, and more than 150 cities, towns and counties across the nation have laws that specifically prohibit discrimination against LGBT individuals.

Recently, HUD issued new guidance that treats discrimination based on gender nonconformity or sex stereotyping as sex discrimination under the Fair Housing Act, and instructs HUD staff to inform individuals filing complaints about state and local agencies that have LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination laws. In addition, on February 3, 2012, HUD published a final rule, “Equal Access to Housing in HUD Programs Regardless of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity”, which requires HUD-funded and HUD-insured housing providers and FHA-approved lenders to provide equal access without regard to sexual orientation, gender identity, and marital status.

This study, which was done in collaboration with the University of Albany, State University of New York, serves as the initial step toward future research on same-sex housing discrimination. Recommendations for upcoming studies include in-person testing, examination of legislative protections at the local jurisdictional level (rather than only at the state level), and tests for discrimination against transgender people to further examine difference in treatment between same-sex and heterosexual couples in states without legislative protections.

WASHINGTON – Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth who identify as Latino face greater rejection from their communities and schools than their non-LGBT Latino counterparts, according to a new report on LGBT Latino youth released today by the Human Rights Campaign in partnership with The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC).  The report further analyzes the results of a groundbreaking survey of over 10,000 LGBT-identified young people titled “Growing Up LGBT in America,” and explores the experiences of nearly 2,000 LGBT youth who identified as Latino.

According to the survey, no matter how great the strides toward LGBT equality – from state-approved marriage to employee benefits to school anti-bullying programs – LGBT youth who do not feel loved and supported by their family will face greater challenges both now and in the future.

“The well-being of Latino LGBT youth is fostered by the support of family and trusted adults in their lives,” said HRC President Chad Griffin.  “We must do better in supporting LGBT youth who still fear rejection, being judged and ostracized in school and being rejected from their religious congregations and the broader community.”

“The deck is stacked against young people growing up lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender,” stated LULAC Executive Director Brent Wilkes. “LULAC is rooted in civic participation and protecting residents from discrimination or indifference along with social ostracism. While we’ve advanced significantly in the last 84 years of LULAC’s existence, unfortunately, far too many LGBT youth and adults are still disaffected and disconnected in their own homes and neighborhoods.”

“As a nation, we are making great strides towards greater equality for people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender,” said Los Angeles Mayor-elect Eric Garcetti. “However, gaining acceptance and understanding is still very difficult for LGBT youth and especially for young LGBT Latinos. This report highlights the need to do more to help Latino families stay strong and supportive of their children’s needs.”

Among the report’s key findings:

• LGBT Latino youth are nearly as optimistic as their non-LGBT Latino peers about future life achievements. However, they feel much less hopeful than those peers about meeting those goals if they remain in their current communities.
• The most difficult problems facing LGBT Latino youth are related to negative responses to their LGBT identity. Concern about family acceptance is the top problem identified, and having their families accept and support them is a key change they wish for in their lives.
• Slightly more than half of LGBT Latino youth are out to their immediate family, and nearly 6 in 10 say their family is accepting of LGBT people. Still, about one-third report a lack of family acceptance.
• Slightly less than half of LGBT Latino youth have an adult in their family they can turn to if worried or sad, while 8 in 10 of their non-LGBT Latino peers do have such an adult.
• Like other LGBT youth, 9 in 10 LGBT Latino youth are out to their close friends. However, Latino LGBT youth are more likely than others to be out to their classmates, at school, and to their teachers.
• Nearly three-quarters of LGBT Latino youth say their school is accepting of LGBT people, and more than 8 in 10 say their peers are accepting.
• LGBT Latino youth are more likely to face harassment and violence in the community than their non-LGBT Latino peers, and much less likely to participate in a variety of community activities.
• LGBT Latino youth are twice as likely as non-LGBT Latino youth to say they do not “fit in” in the communities where they live.
• Two-thirds of LGBT Latino youth say they are more honest about who they are online, while about one-third of non-LGBT Latino youth say the same.

This report, the third in a series of efforts to analyze the landscape for LGBT youth, includes a call to action for adults to become an ally to LGBT youth.  The report details how to become a strong ally, including taking steps to: educate yourself, find someone to talk to, keep the conversation alive with LGBT youth, and take broad action.

HRC’s Latino youth report is available at www.hrc.org/latinoyouth.  A copy the full youth report is available at: www.hrc.org/youth.

Rufus Gifford and James Costos

Today, President Barack Obama nominated Rufus Gifford as the next U.S. ambassador to Denmark, and James Costos as ambassador to Spain.  Both men are openly gay.

James Costos is Vice President of Global Licensing and Retail for Home Box Office (HBO).  Before joining HBO in 2006, he was president and CEO of Eight Cylinders, Inc., an entertainment marketing and licensing agency.  Previously, from 2002 to 2004, he was head of Promotions and Consumer Products at Revolution Studios in California.  He began his career in New York as a fashion and retail executive.  From 2001 to 2002, he was vice president of Retail for Hermes in New York, and from 1991 to 2001, he was vice president of Retail Operations for Tod’s in New York.  Mr. Costos currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Humane Society of the United States.  He received a B.A. from the University of Massachusetts.

Rufus Gifford most recently served as finance chair of the Presidential Inaugural Committee.  He served as finance director for Obama for America from 2011 to 2012, and as finance director for the Democratic National Committee from 2009 to 2011.  From 2008 to 2009, he was the California finance director for the Presidential Inaugural Committee, after working as a political consultant in California from 2004 to 2008.  From 1998 to 2004, Mr. Gifford was creative executive for Davis Entertainment, an independent film company based in Los Angeles.  He is currently a Federal Club Member of the Human Rights Campaign and a Partner in Conservation for the World Wildlife Fund.  He received a B.A. from Brown University.

“We congratulate Rufus Gifford and James Costos, whose nominations reflect the president’s strong commitment to eliminating barriers to public service for LGBT Americans.  I’m confident they will both represent the United States with distinction,” said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and Institute.

Human Rights Campaign (HRC) President Chad Griffin issued the following statements:

“Ambassador-designate James Costos is a true citizen of the world. He has incredible global business experience and is a respected and innovative leader. He has solid business and political relationships at the highest levels and a proven commitment to community, philanthropy, human rights, and democracy that make him an outstanding choice to be the nation’s next Ambassador to Spain.”

“Rufus Gifford is a terrific choice to represent our country in Denmark.  His demonstrated leadership and unwavering commitment to democracy and human rights will serve him well as he represents America’s interests abroad.  I urge the Senate to confirm his nomination.”

The nominations must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

AIDS Walk & Run 2012 Photo: The San Diego LGBT Center

SAN DIEGO – The San Diego LGBT Community Center has announced that the 2013 AIDS Walk & Run San Diego will take place Sunday, Sept. 29 in Balboa Park.

The 24th annual event will feature new routes for both the Walk and the Run, and an all-new 5K “Street Challenge” obstacle course.

The post-Walk festival has been expanded and will include information booths from the AIDS Walk funding recipient organizations and community partners. This new health and wellness fair will also include free fitness classes (including yoga and Zumba), a pet rest area, face painting for the kids, healthy snacks, a high-energy DJ and much more.

The Run will begin at 7:30 a.m., the Walk will step off at 8:30 a.m. and the “Street Challenge” obstacle course will begin at 9 a.m. in heats of 100 people, with new heats following every half hour.

AIDS Walk is San Diego County’s largest one-day HIV/AIDS fundraiser, and last year helped deliver more than $400,000 in grants to 10 local agencies. In addition to providing much-needed funding for local HIV/AIDS service organizations that serve the approximately 12,500 people living with HIV in San Diego County, AIDS Walk helps raise awareness about the impact of HIV and AIDS.

AIDS Walk San Diego is a program of The San Diego LGBT Community Center. More information is available by visiting AIDSWalkSD.org

Bayard Rustin

SAN DIEGO — The inaugural Bayard Rustin Civil Rights Honors will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 2 at The San Diego LGBT Community Center. The awards will be presented by the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) of Washington, D.C., The International Court Council and the San Diego LGBT Community Center.

Bayard Rustin (March 17, 1912-Aug. 24, 1987) is widely considered the father of the 1963 National Civil Rights March on Washington. An openly gay, black civil rights leader, Rustin was a senior advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King. Sen. Strom Thurmond railed against Rustin on the floor of the Senate, referring to him as a “Communist draft-dodger and homosexual.”

Recipients of the inaugural Bayard Rustin Civil Rights Honors include:

Lifetime Achievement Award

Mandy Carter

Mandy Carter, National civil rights activist

San Diego Mayor Bob Filner, 1960 Freedom Rider

Ashley Walker, Martin Luther King All People’s Breakfast

Bayard Rustin Civil Rights Award

Jimmy Lovett Jr., Malcolm X Library

Carole Norman, NP, San Diego Black Nurses Association

Christopher Grinston, Imperial Court de San Diego

Ashley Walker

Vertez Burks, San Diego community activist

City Commissioner Stampp Corbin, chair of the Equal Opportunity Commission

Tracie Jada O’Brien, Stepping Stone

City Commissioner Nicole Murray Ramirez and Carolina Alcoser Ramos of The San Diego LGBT Community Center will direct and host the event.

“We are proud to join the National Black Justice Coalition in this long overdue recognition of civil rights icon Bayard Rustin,” said Ramirez.

The entire community is invited to the July 2 event, which will include a short clip of the award winning film Brother Outsider, outstanding entertainment, amazing soul food and a silent auction. A $10 donation to benefit the Bayard Rustin Commemoration Project of the NBJC is requested.

The Bayard Rustin Civil Rights Honors are being underwritten by The Human Dignity Foundation of San Diego, The International Court and The San Diego LGBT Community Center.

For further information call City Commissioner Nicole Murray Ramirez at 619-692-1967.

SAN FRANCISCO – San Francisco Pride announced today that it has made major progress toward financial stability, retiring a three year debt burden, while simultaneously achieving record breaking increases in key sponsorship contributions.

The nonprofit organization, that sponsors and produces the annual SF LGBT Pride Parade, reported that  as of May 31 it had completed a two-year strategic plan that allowed it to retire nearly $300,000 of outstanding loan and debt, which included a loan of $65,000 from the Dorian Fund.  The plan also involved an organizational restructuring, including a national search and the eventual hiring of Earl Plante as its first CEO in December 2012.

“SF Pride is in the strongest financial health it has ever been in its 43 year history,” stated Lisa Williams, President of SF Pride’s board of directors. “Putting Pride on sound financial footing has been our top priority.  As a board, staff, and community partnership we rolled up our sleeves, exerted the required determination, focus and discipline to deliver this key turning point for the organization and the community.”

“SF Pride can now focus on building much needed reserves to sustain fiscal health, as well as on allocating timely grants to vital community-based services and programs, and peer Pride Month events such as the Dyke March, Trans March, and Pink Saturday,” stated David Currie, treasurer of SF Pride’s board of directors.   Since 1997, SF Pride has been a significant fundraiser to the local community at large, giving nearly $2.4 million back to organizations working on the frontlines on vital issues including breast cancer, homelessness, and HIV/AIDS.

With more than 250 parade contingents, 300 exhibitors, and 21 stages and venues, the San Francisco LGBT Pride celebration and parade is the largest LGBT annual gathering in the nation; this year’s theme is ‘Embrace, Encourage, Empower.’   It is estimated that it costs more than $4,000,000 to produce the event that takes place annually on the final weekend of June during Pride Month.  While cash contributions are requested, at the celebration in the Civic Center as it provides vital proceeds to community based programs, the event remains a free event to the public.

Under newly hired SF Pride CEO, Earl Plante, the organization reported that it experienced the highest sponsorship income in its 43-year history.  Sponsorship fundraising broke SF Pride’s 2012 record with a 20 percent increase in total corporate cash donations to $782,199, and $1,615,550 in secured in-kind donations — a 44 percent increase over the previously highest rate secured in 2008.

“I am very proud to lead the team effort of SF Pride’s dedicated volunteer Board of Directors, community advisory board, and staff and contractors since my tenure began to move SF Pride positively forward,” stated Earl Plante, CEO of SF Pride. “We are humbled and honored by the goodwill and good faith that SF Pride’s diverse range of local business and corporate partners has invested in the history and ongoing transformational work of SF Pride.  We welcome with great appreciation both returning and new sponsors that help us to produce one of the most celebrated LGBT Pride events in the world.”

President Obama Photo: CNN

President Obama hosted a reception today at the White House in honor of LGBT Pride Month — something no other president has ever done. He spoke to more than 100 LGBT activists, journalists and allies reflecting on the very long list of advances his administration has made for the LGBT community.

The president’s remarks follow:

All right, I will not beat that act.  We could not be prouder of Zea and Luna for the introduction.  And welcome, all of you, to the White House for Pride Month.

Zea and Luna are here with their moms, and also I think with Grandma and Grandpa — correct?  And so feel free to congratulate them afterwards for their outstanding introduction.

There are a few other folks who don’t have the same star wattage that I want to acknowledge — first of all, my Vice President, Joe Biden.   We’ve got some outstanding members of Congress here, including a record number from the Congressional Equality Caucus.  Eric Fanning, the Under Secretary of the Air Force, is here.   Major General Patricia Rose and her wife, Retired Lieutenant Julie Roth, are here.   We’ve got Fred Hochberg and Elaine Kaplan, two outstanding members of my team, who are here.  And John Berry is here — John is a former member of my team.  You may not recognize him because he looks so well rested now that he’s left the administration.

And even though she couldn’t be here today, because she’s getting ready to finally take her seat on the bench and get to work, I want to congratulate Nitza Quinones Alejandro, who, just a few hours ago, was confirmed by the Senate, making her the first openly gay Hispanic federal judge in our country’s history.

And what I’m especially excited about, in addition to Zea and Luna, we’ve got citizens from all across the country who wrote me letters over the last several years.  And in a letter from Kathleen, a young woman from Massachusetts, I saw someone who had experienced too much discrimination and hatred at such a young age, at the age of 24.  But I also read about someone who dreams of becoming a doctor so that she can help others, and who is determined to make a difference because, as she put it, she is “hopeful of a world filled with love.”

Love is what I saw in Valerie and Diane’s letter from North Dakota, who’ve been together for 37 years.  Their son, Madison, is here, 14.  They told me that when Madison was little — he’s not little now, by the way.  He used to say that someday, he was going to become president and make it legal for his moms to get married.  And now, they added, “I don’t think we’re going to have to wait that long.”

Madison, I agree with you that it’s time.  I agree that you should run for president.  And I agree that we’re not going to have to wait that long — because from Minnesota to Maryland, from the United States Senate to the NBA, it’s clear we’re reaching a turning point.  We’ve become not just more accepting; we’ve become more loving, as a country, and as a people.  Hearts and minds change with time.  Laws do, too.  Change like that isn’t something that starts here in Washington, but it’s something that has the power that Washington has a great deal of difficulty resisting over time.

It’s something that comes from the courage of those who stood up, and sat in, and came out.  It’s something that comes from the compassion of family and friends and coworkers and teammates who show their love and support.  Yes, it’s true.

And it’s something that can be traced back to our Declaration of Independence — the fundamental principle that all of us are created equal.  And as I said in my Inaugural Address, if we truly are created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well.

That’s the principle that’s guided my administration over the past four and a half years.  We passed a hate crimes bill in Matthew Shepard’s name.   We lifted the HIV entry ban, released the first national HIV/AIDS strategy.  We strengthened the Violence Against Women Act to protect LGBT victims.  We told hospitals that accept Medicare and Medicaid that they have to treat LGBT patients just like everybody else.   Starting next year, the Affordable Care Act will ban insurance companies from denying someone from coverage just for being LGBT.  We put in place new policies that treat transgender Americans with dignity and respect.  And because no one should have to hide who they love to serve the country that they love, we ended “don’t ask, don’t tell” once and for all.

But part of the reason we’re here is because we know we’re not done yet.  When Zea and Luna wrote me last December, they told me they would have voted for me if they could have — thanks, guys.   They also laid out quite an agenda.  I hope Congress is listening to them.

But I want them and all of you to know that I’m not giving up the fight to keep our kids safe from gun violence.   I’m not giving up the fight for smarter and better schools.  I’ll continue to support marriage equality and states’ attempts to legalize it, including in my home state of Illinois. We’re not giving up on that.

And as we saw earlier this year with the gun safety debate, sometimes this stuff takes time, and it’s frustrating.  You take two steps forward and sometimes there’s a step back.  But I deeply believe in something that Martin Luther King, Jr. said often, and that is that the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.  Eventually, America gets it right.

That doesn’t mean we can be patient.  We know from our own history that change happens because people push to make it happen.  We’ve got to do the hard work of educating others, showing empathy to others, changing hearts and minds.  And when we do that, then change occurs.  It doesn’t come always as quickly as we like, but progress comes.

We’ve got to keep pushing.  We’ve got to make access to health care more available and affordable for folks living with HIV.  We’ve got to implement the protections in the Affordable Care Act.  We’ve got to keep making our classrooms and our neighborhoods safe for all of our young people.

And I agree with Susan, a PFLAG mom from Ohio — we’ve got to end LGBT discrimination in the places where we work.  Susan wrote me and said, “If I have a concern it is that there are so many LGBT men and women who contribute to the wealth and growth of our nation … but they still are not protected from harassment in the workplace.”

And I share that concern.  In 34 states, you can be fired just because of who you are or who you love.  That’s wrong.  We’ve got to change it.  There’s a bipartisan bill moving forward in the Senate that would ban discrimination against all LGBT Americans in the workplace, now and forever.  We need to get that passed.  I want to sign that bill.  We need to get it done now.

And I think we can make that happen — because after the last four and a half years, you can’t tell me things can’t happen.  Look around.  We’ve got gay and lesbian soldiers, and sailors, and airmen, and Marines who are here today.  We’ve got married couples from places like New York and Washington State.  You’ve got a couple of guys here on stage who I don’t think anybody in their high schools thought would be the President and the Vice President of the United States.  So don’t tell me that things can’t happen when we put our minds to them.

The genius of America is that America can change.  And people who love this country can change it.  That’s what we’re called to do.  And I hope that when we gather here next year, and the year after that, we’ll be able to say, with pride and confidence, that together we’ve made our fellow citizens a little more free.  We’ve made this country a little more equal. We’ve made our world a little more full of love.

Thank you very much, everybody.  God bless you.  God bless America.  Enjoy the party.

 

 

Sen. Patty Murray and Rep. Steve Israel

WASHINGTON – With no federal law protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people from discrimination in securing credit, thousands of Americans face unfair challenges in buying a home, going to college, or starting a small business.  To ensure all qualified people have access to the financial credit necessary to build a productive life, Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) today introduced the Freedom from Discrimination in Credit Act (FDCA) in the U.S. Senate and Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY) introduced the bill in the House of Representatives.  FDCA would amend the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) to prohibit discrimination in the provision of credit based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

“Securing credit is critical to some of the most important undertakings in life, yet many LGBT Americans can be denied credit simply because of who they are,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “Credit decisions should not be based on personal characteristics unrelated to creditworthiness.  FDCA will help LGBT people realize the American dream.”

“Obtaining credit is a critical step for many looking to buy a home, go to college, or start a small business,” said Senator Murray. “And since equal protection under the law is a fundamental right in our country, no one should suffer discrimination when trying to secure a roof over their head or a high quality education. I’m proud to introduce this legislation with Representative Israel to end this unfortunate practice that continues to hurt people in the LGBT community.”

“The ability to secure credit is essential to keeping our economy moving and ensuring that everyone from small business owners to middle-class families can grow and prosper,” said Rep. Israel  “However, there are currently no federal protections in place for LGBT Americans who face discrimination when applying for credit. It’s time for us to change this, and that’s why I introduced legislation to prohibit lenders from denying credit based on sexual orientation or gender identity.”

Only 12 states and the District of Columbia have passed laws broadly prohibiting credit discrimination based on sexual orientation. Ten states and D.C. prohibit gender identity-based discrimination in credit transactions.

BANGOR, Maine — Today, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) represented a transgender girl before Maine’s highest court, arguing that her school had failed in its responsibility to treat her the same as other students.

Following the argument before the Law Court, Jennifer Levi, director of GLAD’s Transgender Rights Project, said, “I was pleased to present Nicole’s case to the court today, and have been privileged to represent her and get to know her remarkable, strong, and supportive family. We have a strong case here of a young girl trying to go to school and learn, and the school failing to protect her. I feel confident that we got a fair hearing from the court, and I look forward to their decision.”

As a middle school student in Orono, Maine, Nicole Maines was treated like other girls until a male classmate followed her into a girls’ room. The school addressed the boy’s bad behavior by focusing on Nicole, forcing her to use a staff bathroom separate from the other girls. Eventually, the parents were forced to withdraw their daughter and her twin brother from the Orono school system and move them to another part of the state where they could go to school quietly and safely.

Nicole also spoke after the argument saying, “I want all transgender kids to be able to go to school and not have to worry about being treated unfairly or bullied. I’ve been very lucky to have a family that’s stood by me and stuck up for me, and I’m really grateful for them.”

The decision in the case, Doe v. Clenchy, is not expected for several months. GLAD Attorneys Jennifer Levi and Ben Klein are representing the daughter along with Lewiston attorney Jodi L. Nofsinger of Berman & Simmons, P.A.

WASHINGTON – On the 46th anniversary of the landmark Loving v. Virginia decision from the Supreme Court, today the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is calling on the Court to once again expand freedom for Americans by striking down bans on marriage for lesbian and gay couples as well as the Defense of Marriage Act.  HRC President Chad Griffin released the following statement:

“Forty-six years ago today, a couple named Loving reminded the country what love is all about. Thanks to their commitment to one another and to justice, the Supreme Court struck down each and every ban on interracial marriage across the country.

“In that historic decision, the Court unanimously declared that ‘under our constitution, the freedom to marry, or not marry, a person of another race resides with the individual and cannot be infringed by the state.’ Just days before the Supreme Court is set to rule on new landmark cases, the question is now ‘Why not a person of the same gender, too?’”

In 2007, on the 40th anniversary of the Loving decision, plaintiff Mildred Loving released a statement declaring her support for marriage equality for gay and lesbian Americans. Ms. Loving passed away in 2008, but HRC and all Americans remember with pride her and her husband’s legacy of expanding equality for all.

Jane Lynch and wife, Dr. Lara Embry

Glee star Jane Lynch and her wife, Dr. Lara Embry, are getting a divorce.

Lynch told People magazine, ”Lara and I have decided to end our marriage. This has been a difficult decision for us as we care very deeply about one another. We ask for privacy as we deal with this family matter.”

Lynch and Embry married on Memorial Day in 2010 in an intimate ceremony in Sunderland, Mass., one of the few states where gay marriage is recognized.

La Toya Jackson and George Takei

Today, San Diego Pride announced several new additions to the upcoming Pride weekend! Actor, author and activist George Takei will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Spirit of Stonewall Rally and Flag Raising.  He will champion Pride’s 2013 theme “Freedom to Love and Marry.”

Takei had this to say about his participation, “Freedom, love and commitment are shared values across the spectrum of humanity, and I’m honored to celebrate and share that truth alongside my husband at this year’s San Diego LGBT Pride.”

George Takei will be joined by his husband, Brad Takei, as San Diego Pride parade grand marshals due to their extensive work as fearless advocates for marriage, anti-bullying efforts and LGBT equality.

Singer-songwriter and philanthropist La Toya Jackson will also be a celebrity grand marshal for her efforts in continuing her late brother Michael’s mission to combat HIV and AIDS.  La Toya will then appear at the festival main stage Sunday evening as an emcee as the Pride weekend closes out.

“I am so excited and I am absolutely honored to be a part of San Diego Pride. Love is hard for anyone to find and if you have someone who you love enough to marry, why not celebrate it,” said La Toya Jackson.

Spirit of Stonewall Rally and Flag Raising

Friday, July 12, 6–7 p.m.

Normal Street and University Avenue (Hillcrest Pride Flag)

Parade

Saturday, July 13, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

Hillcrest

Festival

Saturday, July 13, 12–10 p.m. and Sunday, July 14, 11 a.m.–8 p.m.

Marston Point, Balboa Park (6th & Laurel St.)

For tickets and information visit sdpride.org

Last day for early bird ticket prices is Wednesday, June 12.

Take a look below at the Human Rights Campaign’s infographic which shows some of the more likely outcomes from the Supreme Court arguments in the Prop. 8 and DOMA cases.

SAN DIEGO – Mayor Bob Filner will open the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus “Summer of Love” encore gala  Saturday, June 15 at Liberty Station, Point Loma.  All proceeds from the ’60s-themed event will benefit the 150-member chorus’s mission of social change through musical outreach.

Mayor Filner is no stranger to the turmoil of Sixties, having been one of the first people to enter the Deep South as a Freedom Rider in 1961, protesting racial injustice in Mississippi.  Filner was arrested for his activism and was incarcerated until the U.S. Supreme Court overturned his conviction.

“I’ve always felt that, if you think something should be changed, it’s your responsibility to actively pursue that change,” Filner said.

There will be live ’60s music from San Diego’s multi-award-winning band Rockola, themed food from John Little Catering and both live and silent auctions.  The highlight of the evening will be the live auction of an African photo safari and an incredible San Francisco Pride Weekend Package with exclusive tickets to the new “I Am Harvey Milk” world premiere

Tickets for the “Summer of Love” event are $75 for general admission at 7 p.m. and $125 for special VIP tickets that include preview admission at 6 p.m., open bar and other benefits.  It will be held at the McMillin Company Event Center, 2875 Dewey Road, Liberty Station – Point Loma on the grounds of the former Naval Training Center.

Tickets may be purchased at www.sdgmc.org or by calling (877) 296-7664.  To be a special underwriter of the event or to donate an auction item, please contact SDGMC Marketing Director Bob Lehman at boblehman25@gmail.com.  SDGMC is a 501c (3) organization.
All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law.

Christopher Beck served as a U.S. Navy SEAL in some of the most dangerous battlegrounds in the world, including Iraq and Afghanistan and earned medals and commendations including the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.

But for 20 years while Beck was fighting for his country, he was also fighting an inner battle over his identity. He wanted to live his life as a woman.

After retiring in 2011, Beck did just that. Chris Beck is now Kristin Beck.

Beck spoke with Anderson Cooper that after defending her country, she wants some happiness.

Video: Anderson Cooper 360°

(CNN) — A majority of Americans — and even a majority of same-sex marriage opponents — believe it’s “inevitable” that gays and lesbians will eventually be able to legally wed, a new survey indicates.

The poll, from the Pew Research Center, comes as the United States Supreme Court prepares to rule on two high profile same-sex marriage cases. A decision will come by the end of June.

Seventy-two percent of Americans believe legal recognition of same-sex marriage is inevitable, according to the poll. That’s a jump from 2004, when 59% held that view.

Among those who support marriage rights for gays and lesbians, 85% said legal recognition was inevitable. But even among those who oppose same-sex marriage, 59% believe the opposing viewpoint will eventually win out and become the law of the land.

The poll reflected a longstanding trend of greater acceptance of same-sex marriage, seen in surveys going back several years. In Thursday’s Pew poll, 51% of Americans say they support legal recognition for same-sex marriages.

And like past polls, more Americans report personally knowing someone who is gay, either in their family or circle of friends.

Demographically, older Americans are still less likely to support same-sex marriage, though even a majority of those 65 or older believe marriage rights for gays and lesbians are inevitable.

The Pew survey was conducted by telephone May 1-5 from a sample of 1,504 American adults. The sampling error was plus or minus 2.9 percentage points.

Michelle Obama

(CNN) — First lady Michelle Obama had a rare run-in with an audience heckler Tuesday during a fund-raising event in Washington for the Democratic National Committee.

The outburst from the crowd distracted Obama at a point in her speech when she was speaking emotionally about children and their futures, prompting her to threaten to leave if the woman wanted to keep speaking.

“One of the things I don’t do well is this,” she said, according to a pool reporter who attended the event. Television cameras were not allowed inside.

Obama walked toward the protester, saying she could “listen to me or you can take the mic, but I’m leaving. You all decide. You have one choice,” according to the pool report.

The protester was identified as Ellen Sturtz of the gay rights group GetEQUAL. She was calling on President Barack Obama to sign an executive order barring discrimination based on sexual orientation by federal contractors.

Sturtz was escorted out of the event, held at a private residence in northwest Washington. Tickets for the fund-raiser ranged from $500 to $10,000.

The White House, as it does with many events, released a transcript of her remarks Tuesday night. While the transcript includes the beginning of the first lady’s response to the protester–”One of the things that I don’t do well is this. Do you understand?”–the transcript does not quote the exchange between the two, which happened away from the microphone.

Early Wednesday morning, Sturtz said in a statement released by GetEQUAL that she had “lived and worked in the closet, hiding who I was in order to earn a living.”

“I had planned to speak tonight with DNC officials but, as the First Lady was talking about our childrens’ future and ensuring that they have everything they need to live happy and productive lives, I simply couldn’t stay silent any longer,” Sturtz added. “I’m looking ahead at a generation of young people who could live full, honest, and open lives with the stroke of the President’s pen, and I was hoping that the First Lady would share my concern for all of our young people.”

The interruption came less than two weeks after President Obama faced a Code Pink protester who loudly advocated for the closure of the Guantanamo Bay prison during the president’s national security speech.

The president, who was making his remarks before cameras and a large audience, handled the situation differently than his wife’s confrontation Tuesday night.

“This is part of free speech, is you being able to speak but also you listening and me being able to speak, alright?” Obama said upon the interruption. The president has used the tactic before when interrupted.

The woman, peace activist Medea Benjamin, kept up her protest, which also included a rebuke against American drone strikes that have killed civilians. Obama eventually diverted from his prepared remarks to address the situation head-on.

“The voice of that woman is worth paying attention to,” he said. “Obviously I do not agree with much of what she said and obviously she wasn’t listening to me in much of what I said. But these are tough issues and the suggestion that we can gloss over them is wrong.”

LONDON — Marriage equality legislation took a further step forward today as the House of Lords voted in favor of the equal marriage bill for England and Wales, by a large majority.

There was an attempt to derail the legislation with a “wrecking amendment” by Lord Dear, the former chief constable of West Midlands Police.

But in voting against the amendment, with 390 votes to 148, a majority of 242, the House of Lords allowed the passage of the bill to committee stage.

Pink News reported that Conservative MP for Finchley and Golders Green, Mike Freer said: “I welcome the successful outcome of the vote in the Lord’s. Wisely they took the view that the Commons had spoken loudly and overwhelmingly in support of allowing same sex couples to marry. It was pleasing to see so many peers embrace equality and reject the notion that same sex marriage would undermine marriage. At last gay couples will have full marriage equality in the eyes of the state.”

Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, also commented, saying, ”This is a victory for love, marriage and equality. We are another step closer to our goal of equal marriage. It signals that the House of Lords accepts the principle that we should all be equal before the law.”

SAN FRANCISCO — Wells Fargo & Company is set to kick off Pride 2013 with participation planned in more than 50 Pride events across the country. In some cities, including Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., Wells Fargo team members will march alongside several organizations focused on raising awareness for anti-bullying efforts to support LGBT and non-LGBT youth who face harassment.

To bolster Pride 2013 efforts, Wells Fargo convened leaders from a number of prominent organizations, including, GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, Straight, Education Network), It Gets Better Project™, Point Foundation, The Trevor Project and Teach For America,  to join with Wells Fargo to magnify the anti-bullying message.  Maximizing existing relationships with each organization, Wells Fargo championed the collaborative support around the It Gets Better ™ platform with an emphasis on hope versus despair. Through co-branded It Gets Better ™ themed advertisements, posters, t-shirts and banners, the collective team aims to reach broader audiences while influencing action.

“It’s important for a company as visible as Wells Fargo to help shed light on the progress of the LGBT community. Our goal this year is to empower and uplift by celebrating the fact that it does get better,” said, Mark Ng, LGBT Segment Manager. “We are excited and honored to collaborate with the organizations we work with year-long to help make this progress possible.”

Wells Fargo’s engagement with groups speaking out against harassment dates back to 1994 with The Trevor Project, an organization that provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBT youth. In 2010, Wells Fargo partnered with GLSEN to launch the Safe Space Campaign dedicated to providing educational/instructional “kits” designed to help schools create safe and positive learning environments for students.

“Wells Fargo’s support of anti-bullying efforts is consistent with the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion,” said Pat Callahan, Wells Fargo’s chief administrative officer. “When children learn the value of inclusiveness at school, they carry it with them throughout life. Investing in students today is a down-payment to ensure an inclusive workforce and society tomorrow.”

Most recently, Wells Fargo became a founding corporate sponsor of the It Gets Better Project™, joining in the social movement to end harassment against LGBT youth.  In support of this effort, the company created its own It Gets Better ™ video and booklet where senior leaders and team members from across the company share personal stories of overcoming adversity.  The company also launched an interactive website  (wellsfargo.com/itgetsbetter) where visitors can watch the video and learn more about participating organizations as well as ways to get involved in helping to create a better future for youth everywhere.

“The It Gets Better Project is grateful to Wells Fargo for the support it has given the LGBT community year after year. Its actions will have a direct impact on the lives of young people, especially in those communities where LGBT youth are most at risk,” says co-founder Dan Savage.
Individuals interested in marching with Wells Fargo, It Gets Better™ and other partnering organizations can sign up at:  http://www.itgetsbetter.org/page/s/march-with-us-this-pride-season.

Commitment to the LGBT Community
For more than 25 years, Wells Fargo has actively supported programs and nonprofit organizations serving the LGBT community through grants, sponsorships and volunteer activities.  Wells Fargo’s support for the (LGBT) community is part of the company’s commitment to serve diverse customers; to hire, develop, engage and retain team members who reflect the community; and to encourage team members to value and respect each other for who they are and for the skills and experiences they bring to the company.

A new poll carried out for Equality California (EQCA) by David Binder Research shows that 55 percent of likely voters polled are in support of
restoring the freedom to marry and 37 percent are opposed.  There have also been some strong upward shifts in support amongst key demographics.
The key summary findings of the report are:

1. During the last decade, support for same sex marriage has substantially increased in California.

Support for same sex marriage has increased by 18 over the last ten years. At the same time, opposition has decreased. In February 2004,
after Mayor Newsom allowed same sex marriages in San Francisco, 37% of California voters supported same sex marriage, while
54% opposed. Just under 10 years later, the numbers have flipped, with 55% supporting same sex marriage and 37% opposing. Those feeling strongly have shifted in the same direction.
In 2004, 24% of likely California voters strongly supported same sex marriage and 47% strongly opposed it, a ratio of 2:1 against same sex marriage. Today, a plurality are strong supporters: 42% strongly support it compared to only 31% who strongly oppose it.

2. In the last four years, support for same-sex marriage has increased across demographic groups
Over the past four years, support for same sex marriage increased by 8, from 47% to 55%. At the same time, opposition dropped by 12,
from 49% to 37%. This resulted in an increase in net support of +20.

Gains in support are greatest among Republicans (+12), middle aged voters (+13 for 30 to 44 year olds and +17 for 45 to 64 year olds),
African Americans (+14), and those who know a gay or lesbian personally (+10).

3. Those who know a gay or lesbian are much more likely to support same-sex marriage.
Those who know gays or lesbians are significantly more likely to support same sex marriage. Those who know a gay or lesbian person are
62% supportive and only 32% opposed. Those that do not know anyone who is gay or lesbian are 36% supportive and 53% opposed.

Support has increased over the last four years from both those who know a gay or lesbian (52% to 62%) and among those who do NOT know a gay or lesbian (29% to 36%).

4. One in three recall a conversation about what gay marriage means to someone they know personally. Those who recall conversation are overwhelmingly positive.

More than one-third of all likely voters in California have had an in person conversation with someone they know personally about why
marriage for same sex couples is important to them.

Those who have had these conversations are significantly more likely to support same sex marriage.

While those who have not had such a conversation are still slightly supportive (45 supportive, 41 opposed) those who have had a conversation are 73 supportive and 26 opposed. This is an increase in net support of +43 among those who have had these conversations

In an email statement John O’Connor, EQCA executive director wrote, “The staff, board and I at Equality California are working tirelessly to be prepared for any possible outcome.  While we have no way of knowing how the Supreme Court will rule, I hold the strong conviction that we will see the freedom to marry restored in California.  This polls backs that conviction up.”

Today President Barack Obama signed the following proclamation regarding LGBT Pride Month, 2013.

For more than two centuries, our Nation has struggled to transform the ideals of liberty and equality from
founding promise into lasting reality. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender
(LGBT) Americans and their allies have been hard at work on the next great
chapter of that history — from the patrons of The Stonewall Inn who sparked a
movement to service members who can finally be honest about who they love to
brave young people who come out and speak out every day.

This year, we celebrate LGBT Pride Month at a moment of
great hope and progress, recognizing that more needs to be done. Support for
LGBT equality is growing, led by a generation which understands that, in the
words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “injustice anywhere is a threat to
justice everywhere.” In the past year, for the first time, voters in
multiple States affirmed marriage equality for same-sex couples. State and
local governments have taken important steps to provide much-needed protections
for transgender Americans.

My Administration is a proud partner in the journey toward
LGBT equality. We extended hate crimes protections to include attacks based on
sexual orientation or gender identity and repealed “Don’t Ask, Don’t
Tell.” We lifted the HIV entry ban and ensured hospital visitation rights
for LGBT patients. Together, we have investigated and addressed pervasive bullying
faced by LGBT students, prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation
and gender identity in Federal housing, and extended benefits for same-sex
domestic partners. Earlier this year, I signed a reauthorization of the
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) that prohibits discrimination on the basis of
sexual orientation or gender identity in the implementation of any VAWA-funded
program. And because LGBT rights are human rights, my Administration is
implementing the first-ever Federal strategy to advance equality for LGBT
people around the world.

We have witnessed real and lasting change, but our work is
not complete. I continue to support a fully inclusive Employment
Non-Discrimination Act, as well as the Respect for Marriage Act. My
Administration continues to implement the Affordable Care Act, which beginning
in 2014, prohibits insurers from denying coverage to consumers based on their
sexual orientation or gender identity, as well as the National HIV/AIDS
Strategy, which addresses the disparate impact of the HIV epidemic among
certain LGBT sub-communities. We have a long way to go, but if we continue on
this path together, I am confident that one day soon, from coast to coast, all
of our young people will look to the future with the same sense of promise and possibility.
I am confident because I have seen the talent, passion, and commitment of LGBT
advocates and their allies, and I know that when voices are joined in common
purpose, they cannot be stopped.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United
States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution
and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2013 as Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon the people of the
United States to eliminate prejudice everywhere it exists, and to celebrate the
great diversity of the American people.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirty-first day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen, and of
the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
thirty-seventh.

BARACK OBAMA

Carl DeMaio

Former San Diego City Councilman Carl DeMaio announced his bid Thursday for the 52nd Congressional seat in 2014 against Congressman Scott Peters.

In an email to his supporters DeMaio vowed to “shake up the political parties” writing, “To impose accountability and transparency on the political process like we’ve never seen before, I will propose a law to force Congress to live under the same laws it expects the rest of us to live under.

“Fixing Congress must also involve changing the tone and tenor of both political parties. I see myself as a ‘new generation Republican’ who wants to challenge the party to focus on fiscal, economic and quality of life issues in a more positive and inclusive way – rather than issues that are frankly none of the government’s business in the first place.

“My candidacy and my eventual voice in Congress will offer an example of how we can refocus Washington’s attention on issues that unite, rather than issues that divide.”

In November, Democratic U.S. Rep. Peters won a close, expensive race against incumbent Republican Brian Bilbray in a newly-drawn district that takes in much of San Diego and parts of Poway and Coronado.

On hearing the news, Tony Krvaric, chairman of the Republican Party of San Diego County, told NBC 7,

“DeMaio is a formidable candidate with broad appeal. We need serious reform in Washington, D.C. and Scott Peters is no reformer.”

Openly gay DeMaio, ran unsuccessfully for mayor last year.

According to NBC 7, Congressman Peters’ spokesperson MaryAnne Pintar had this to say in regards to DeMaio’s bid for the 52nd Congressional seat,

“With the primary election more than a year away, Congressman Peters is focused on bi-partisan problem solving — not politics. That’s why National Journal named him one of the most independent thinkers in Congress. He is fighting for our national defense, veterans, students and our innovation economy and has done so with the support of many of the same Republican leaders who formerly backed Mr. DeMaio.”

Father Derek Lappe

Bremerton, WA (KCPQ/CNN)) — The pastor of a Roman Catholic church in Bremerton has announced that his parish will no longer have any involvement with the Boy Scouts of America in light of the organization’s recent vote to allow gay youths to join.

The Rev. Derek Lappe, 41, pastor of the Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, made the announcement on the church’s website (click here) with the headline of “Fr. Lappe’s Response to New Boy Scouts.”

“I do not feel that it is possible for us to live out, and to teach, the authentic truth about human sexuality within the confines of the Boy Scout’s new policy and so I would like to give an explanation as to why it will be necessary for our parish to part ways with the New Boy Scouts,” he wrote.

Lappe goes on to say that there is “nothing scientific or logical” to arguments that there is a genetic origin to homosexuality and that people are born homosexual.

“The New Boy Scouts are basically offering a program of ratifying a label of ‘gay,’ which the young man has placed on himself, and which so many elements of society also are happy go place on him,” he writes, adding that people need to “actually get to the issues that could lead to hope and healing for the boy, rather than imprisoning him in that self-identification for the sake of political correctness.”

Later in his address, Lappe writes, “I am very aware that my objection to the change in the New Boy Scouts is increasingly considered bigoted and backward. I know that there are many good people within the Catholic Church who will disagree with me. I am aware that in many people’s minds ‘homosexual’ identity is the new civil-rights issue and that there has been huge swing in public opinion on this issue over the past few years.

“But I won’t put public opinion ahead of the good of the boys and young men in my parish, and I won’t pretend that polls can trump the truths about sexuality and humanity that are revealed to us, first of all by natural law, and confirmed in Sacred Scripture and the teaching of the Catholic Church.”

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — For the 14th year in a row, shareholders at oil giant ExxonMobil overwhelmingly shot down a proposal that would specifically prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The proposal, sponsored by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and brought before shareholders on Wednesday, asked ExxonMobil to add wording to its Equal Employment Opportunity policy that would explicitly protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees from discrimination.

“Employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity can diminish employee morale and productivity,” the proposal stated. “ExxonMobil will enhance its competitive edge by joining the growing ranks of companies guaranteeing equal opportunity for all employees.”

But opponents said the company already broadly prohibits discrimination of any kind, according to the proxy statement provided to shareholders ahead of the meeting. And shareholders ultimately voted 80% to 20% against the proposal on Wednesday.

“Based on these existing all-inclusive, zero-tolerance policies, the Board believes the proposal is unnecessary,” according to comments from board members in the proxy statement. ExxonMobil declined to comment beyond what was said in the proxy statement.

This decision puts ExxonMobil in the small pool of 12% of Fortune 500 companies that don’t specifically ban discrimination based on sexual orientation in their Equal Employment Opportunity policies, according to the Human Rights Campaign.

And while the average Fortune 500 company received a “corporate equality” score of 54 out of 100 last year — based on how LGBT-inclusive their policies are — ExxonMobil received a negative 25, according to HRC’s ratings. That’s much lower than other major players in the oil industry, like BP and Chevron, which each received scores of at least 85.

“No company has proven itself a worse corporate citizen by betraying its LGBT employees time and again than ExxonMobil,” HRC president Chad Griffin said in a statement. “By failing once more to do the right thing, ExxonMobil places itself firmly on the wrong side of history. Fair-minded consumers should take their business elsewhere.”

Jallen Messersmith

Add Jallen Messersmith to the small but growing number of athletes that are taking their first steps  out of the sexual closet and into the world of professional sports. Last month, Jason Collins, a center for the Washington Wizards, announced to the world that, yes, he is gay (and black and male) in an eloquent piece for Sports Illustrated making him the first gay male athlete in a professional sports franchise in North America to come out. Of course athletes have been coming out for some time – boxer Orlando Cruz, Olympic gold-medalist Seimone Augustus and mixed martial arts fighter, Jessica Aguilar. But few have done so under the high stakes, multi-million gun of the American sports franchise.

So when Messersmith came out, he noted rather eloquently that what Justin did was more that an act of bravery but a step forward for those hundreds (possibly thousands) of athletes trapped inside.  ”The big thing for me, why I wanted to do it, before the whole Jason Collins thing, is there weren’t a lot of basketball-related stories like this,” Messersmith said. ”When I started coming out, I didn’t have anyone to look to for advice or to see how their story went. People can look to see what happened to me — and there are positive things going on.”

Messersmith’s coming out was far less theatric. He spoke with his coach first, then the other players then came out in an interview with Out Sports.com, a magazine devoted to LGBTQ issues within sports. And since this whole process  is new for athletes, culture hasn’t quite figured out just the right level of “coming out” in an area of life that has been indoctrinated into our collective psyches for a very long time.

You’ll recall a Snickers ad during the Superbowl when, after having no bites left to chew, the two men realized they were kissing and then one began violently beating up the other. Snickers has since apologized but for the closeted athlete , the damage had long been done.

The 38th Annual Nicky Awards – San Diego’s Gay Academy Awards – will be held Aug 25 at the Marriott Mission Valley, 8757 Rio San Diego Drive, in San Diego.

Launching the sponsorship drive for the event, Allan Spyere, chair of the board of governors 38th Annual Nicky Awards said, “This will be an evening of glamour, celebration and great entertainment. On behalf of the 2013 Nicky’s board of governors, we thank you for your support of the San Diego LGBT community and look forward to hearing from you soon!”

“By showcasing excellence in the community, the Nicky Awards serve as proof that every person has something important to contribute, that each of us can make a difference. This celebration is a tribute to the men and woman of San Diego’s LGBT community who work hard to improve the quality of life for all.” – Gov. Gray Davis

The Nicky’s include nominations, voting and awards ceremony.

Sponsorship opportunities include product, cash, or a combination of product/cash with three levels of sponsorship: Platinum: $5,000, Gold: $2,500, and Silver: $1,000. Company/product logos will receive multiple exposures across the San Diego LGBT community from the beginning of July through the end of August.

Beneficiaries for the evening are The LGBT Center and the Imperial Court programs. The organizers goal is to have the evening of the 2013 Nicky Awards paid for in full before the event.

Nominations: May 30 – June 30. The nomination party will happen at Martinis above Fourth July 8 at 7 p.m. Voting parties will happen Aug. 9/10 at multiple locations to be announced. Online voting will take place from July 15-Aug. 15.

Nominations, voting and tickets are available at nickyawards.org

SACRAMENTO —  The Youth Equality Act (SB 323), designed to bring youth group tax exemptions in line with California’s existing non-discrimination laws, has passed the Senate with a vote of 27-9 making this the first LGBT rights bill to pass with a two-thirds majority in California history. The bill, authored by Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Long Beach) and sponsored by Equality California continues to gain momentum and has influenced similar legislation across the country.

Last week, a New York senator introduced legislation which would also deny tax exempt status to all youth groups that discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or other defining characteristics.

“While the Boy Scouts of America took a step in the right direction to include LGBT youth, the standing ban on LGBT adults is premised on absurd assumptions and stereotypes that perpetuate homophobia and ignorance,” stated Lara. “Equality doesn’t come with an expiration date and we shouldn’t allow discrimination to be subsidized; not in our state, not on our dime.”

Although nonprofits are private organizations, California law prohibits discrimination by the state based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or religious affiliation. Thus meaning that any state support of discriminatory organizations can be curtailed if organizations are not following the law.

“Teaching discrimination against LGBT people can never be in the public interest, and the time to end it is now,” said John O’Connor, EQCA executive director. “This is a historic milestone in California history – it is the first time one of the state’s legislative chambers has voted in favor of an LGBT piece of legislation with a two-thirds majority.”

SB 323 gets rid of a tax exemption for sales and use taxes, as well as corporate taxes, for youth groups that discriminate.

“I am proud that my colleagues joined me today on the right side of history by voting for the Youth Equality Act,” stated Sen. Lara. “The protections in this bill live beyond the transitory actions any group may take now or in the future. The LGBT community must be protected in perpetuity.”

The bill now moves on to the Assembly.

(CNN) — Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee, an independent, plans to run for re-election next year as a Democrat, his office confirmed Wednesday to CNN.

The first-term governor became the first governor in the state’s history to serve as an independent when he was elected in 2010.

Christian Vareika, a spokesman for Chafee, said the governor will sign affiliation papers Thursday morning at Warwick City Hall. The story was first reported by Politico.

President Barack Obama, through a statement released by the Democratic National Committee, welcomed Chafee to the party.

“For nearly 30 years, Linc Chafee has served his beloved Rhode Island as an independent thinker and leader who’s unafraid to reach across party lines to get things done,” Obama said. “I enjoyed working with Linc when he was a Republican in the United States Senate, and I look forward to continuing that collaboration on the issues that matter not just to the Democratic Party, but to every American.”

Chafee endorsed Obama in 2008 and served as a national co-chair for the president’s re-election campaign last year.

Rhode Island is known as a reliably blue state; both of its U.S. senators are Democrats, and the party has a majority in both houses of the state legislature. The state has also voted Democratic in every presidential election since 1988.

Earlier this month Chafee enthusiastically signed a bill that legalized same-sex marriage, making his state the 10th in the country to give gay and lesbian couples the right to marry.

A former Republican U.S. senator, Chafee was appointed to the Senate seat vacated by his father, John Chafee, when he died in October 1999. Then-Gov. Lincoln Almond appointed Chafee to the seat to complete the remainder of his father’s term, and Chafee won election on his own in 2000.

Chafee was known in the Senate for his moderate leanings. He frequently found himself at odds with his own party during the George W. Bush administration, and in 2006, he lost his re-election bid to then-Democratic candidate Sheldon Whitehouse.

Chafee became an independent a year later and then ran for governor in 2010, besting the Republican and Democratic nominees with 36% support.

Of the country’s governors, Chafee is currently the only independent, while 30 serve as Republicans and 19 serve as Democrats.

Anthony Weiner Photo: CNN

(CNN) — Anthony Weiner’s making gains in his bid for New York City mayor this year, according to a new poll conducted after the former congressman announced his candidacy last week.

And a Marist poll released Tuesday also indicates that a majority of New York City voters say Weiner deserves a second chance. Weiner was in his seventh term in Congress, representing parts of the boroughs of Queens and Brooklyn, when he resigned from the House of Representatives in 2011 amid scandal over lewd photos sent via Twitter.

According to the poll, 19% of registered Democrats say they’d back Weiner in their party’s September mayoral primary. Twenty-four percent say support City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who has long been the Democratic front-runner in the race, and if she’s elected in the November general election, she’d become Gotham’s first female and first openly gay mayor.

But the survey suggests the race is tightening. Marist’s April poll had Quinn at 26% and Weiner at 15%. Quinn’s 11 percentage point lead in April is now down to a five point edge.

According to the new survey, New York City Public Advocate Bill de Balsio’s at 12% and former City Comptroller Bill Thompson stands at 11%, with everyone else in single digits and nearly a quarter of Democratic voters undecided.

If none of the candidates grabs 40% of the vote in the Democratic primary, there will be a runoff between the top two vote getters.

“The Democratic primary for mayor remains wide open,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion. “It is likely to come down to who can punch their ticket for the runoff.”

Does Weiner deserve a second chance?

Fifty-three percent of all registered voters in New York City say yes, with nearly four in ten saying he doesn’t have the character to be mayor. Among Democrats, nearly six in ten say he deserves a second chance. But Democratic voters are evenly split at 44% when asked if they have a favorable or unfavorable impression of Weiner. He stood at 45%-41% favorable/unfavorable among Democrats in April.

Weiner talked about the controversy that sidetracked his political career in a video that went up online last week where he announced his mayoral candidacy.

“Look, I made some big mistakes, and I know I let a lot of people down. But I’ve also learned some tough lessons. I’m running for mayor because I’ve been fighting for the middle class and those struggling my entire life. And I hope I get a second chance to work for you,” said Weiner in the video.

The winner of November’s general election will succeed three term Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a Republican turned independent.

The Marist poll was conducted Wednesday through Friday (following Weiner’s early Wednesday morning announcement), with 810 registered voters in New York City, including 492 Democrats, questioned by telephone. The survey’s sampling error is 3.4 percentage points for registered voters and 4.4 percentage points for Democrats.

Kaitlyn Hunt

(CNN) — Eighteen-year-old Kaitlyn Hunt, charged with a crime for having sex with a 14-year-old girl, rejected a deal Friday that would have required her to plead guilty to child abuse, according to Hunt’s attorney.

Hunt was charged with two felony counts of lewd and lascivious battery after the parents of the 14-year-old went to authorities. Hunt says their relationship was consensual, but in Florida a person under the age of 16 is not legally able to give consent to sex.

If Hunt is convicted, she could go to prison for 15 years — a reality that touched off a maelstrom of controversy across the country this past week. The case became widely known when Hunt’s family began an online campaign in defense of their daughter.

The plea deal from the Indian River County prosecutor’s office would have required Hunt to plead guilty to felony child abuse, spend two years “on community control,” which usually involves strict supervision, followed by one year of probation. According to the plea deal document, during her probation, Hunt would have had to agree to stay away from the 14-year-old, and to provide her probation officer with immediate access to her Internet and telephone communication.

In a statement saying that Hunt was rejecting the plea deal, her attorney, Julia Graves, wrote:

“This is a situation of two teenagers who happen to be of the same sex involved in a relationship. If this case involved a boy and girl, there would be no media attention to this case.

“Our client is a model citizen. She has been placed in an environment of school with her classmates where they go to school together, have lunch together, and play on the same team and are allowed to have communication and contact without barriers. Then when something develops between the two as a result of this environment created by the state, it leads to criminal prosecution.”

“If this incident occurred 108 days earlier when she was 17, we wouldn’t even be here,” the attorney wrote.

Earlier this week, Hunt cried in front of news crews.

“I’m scared of losing my life, the rest of my life,” she said, “not being able to go to college or be around kids, be around my sisters and my family.”

In response, the attorney for the 14-year-old girl’s family said they had been hoping the case would be resolved by now.

Now the 14-year-old girl may have to take a witness stand if the case goes to court, said attorney Charles Sullivan Jr.

“No parent wants their child to have to testify in court, but unfortunately the reality of our system is we have a system where a defendant has the right to have all the witnesses present. It’s just the aspect of our law,” Sullivan said. “It’s a difficult process but it’s a necessary process in our system of justice.”

The case has been a lightning rod for controversy after Hunt’s family went public on Facebook, describing their daughter’s case and essentially accusing the victim’s family of going after their daughter because she is gay.

The victim’s family said that isn’t true; they are only trying to protect their 14-year-old.

The American Civil Liberties Union has jumped in to defend the Hunts and an online petition by change.org had attracted some 270,000 signatures by Friday afternoon. They say the punishment does not equal the crime.

Despite the online furor, a case like this isn’t all that unusual, said David LaBahn, president of the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, a national professional group.

“Prosecutors get these kinds of cases all the time, and it’s almost always parents who come to them saying that something like this has happened,” said LaBahn, who worked as a trial attorney in California for 10 years and focused exclusively on prosecuting sex crimes for four years.

The amount of difference between the alleged perpetrator’s age and the victim’s age weighs heavily in whether a prosecutor moves forward on a case, he said.

“If you had an 18- and 17-year-old, there may be some investigation,” he said.

“If the 17-year-old says it was consensual, that would probably be the end of it and you wouldn’t have charges.”

But in this case, 18 and 14 is a wide gap, he said. “According to law in Florida, this is a crime.”

It doesn’t matter — and shouldn’t matter — what people in an online community who don’t have the investigative details of a case believe, he said.

He drew a comparison to the Jody Arias case currently under way in Arizona. Many people — even those on the jury — said they couldn’t conceive how a petite woman who claimed she’d been the victim of domestic violence could repeatedly stab her boyfriend, as she admits doing.

“As a prosecutor you cannot be influenced by anything other than the facts,” he said.

If the Hunt case goes to trial, the prosecutor is likely to try to put on witnesses who can show that the 14-year-old was damaged psychologically by engaging in sex at such a young age, and that she wouldn’t have normally done such a thing.

The teen’s parents contend she did.

In an interview with CNN affiliate WPEC, Jim and Laurie Smith, insisted that the girls’ gender has nothing to do with the case. They are concerned about ages.

“Our daughter was 14, and this girl was 18,” said Jim Smith.

According to the Smiths, they twice warned Hunt to stop.

“I had another adult, who is a mother, she came to me and said, ‘Ms. Smith, you need to know this. She said, ‘We told Ms. Hunt to leave your daughter alone but they are in a relationship. And, she’s 18.’”

Laurie Smith said she was shocked. Her daughter was just too young, she thought.

The 14-year-old began to act out, the Smiths told WPEC.

Then one weekend morning the Smiths went to their daughter’s bedroom and discovered she was missing.

They panicked, thinking someone took their daughter or that she was hurt. “Her running away was the furthest thing from our mind,” said Jim Smith. “We thought … you hear about kids getting abducted from their homes.”

But they later learned that Hunt had picked their daughter up, they told WPEC.

“We had no other alternative but to turn to the law, use it basically as a last resort,” Jim Smith said.

Bloggers have called Laurie Smith a gay basher and accused her of being abusive to her daughter. Numerous news reports have asked whether the Smiths went after the teen because of her sexual orientation.

But Smith says her goal is to protect her 14-year-old, and she will not relent.

“I will be an advocate of what she needs,” the mother told WPEC. “The stories that people are saying … I love my daughter. … I’m willing to do whatever to protect her.”

“This whole story about you blaming Kate for making your daughter gay … where did that come from?” a reporter asked the parents.

“I don’t know. It didn’t come from us. That’s not how we feel,” Jim Smith answered.

Still, Hunt’s supporters say she is being prosecuted because she was in a sexual relationship with someone of the same sex. A Facebook support page the Hunt family set up called “Free Kate” has gathered more than 47,000 names.

The online petition grew from 150,000 signatures Thursday to nearly 270,000 early Friday afternoon. The petition asks prosecutors to drop the case.

But not everyone who is posting online might have the facts of the case. A glance at postings on Facebook and Twitter show that some people are getting the ages of the girls wrong. Others have posted erroneously that Hunt is being prosecuted for numerous other charges.

Regardless, everyone seems upset about the effect a felony child abuse conviction would have on Hunt, if she agreed to the plea deal.

LaBahn told CNN that a felony child abuse conviction would mean that the teen would have to disclose her felony conviction on employment applications and she could never serve on a jury. She would be prohibited from voting for a period of time, though each state has different time frames for that rule. She may not be able to secure student loans either, LaBahn said, and she might not be allowed to adopt or obtain a childcare license.

Graves, Hunt’s attorney, had earlier asked that the charges be reduced to a misdemeanor.

“This is a life sentence for behavior that is all too common, whether male, female, gay, straight,” Graves said at a Wednesday news conference.

“High school relationships may be fleeting,” she said, “but felony convictions are forever.”

(CNN) — Openly gay youths will be allowed to join scouting, delegates to the annual meeting of the Boy Scouts of America voted Thursday.

The organization’s 1,400-member national council voted for the historic policy change, which will take effect January 1.

The resolution was adopted with more than 60% of the vote.

“No youth may be denied membership in the Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone,” says the approved resolution.

The BSA will maintain its ban on gay adult leaders.

“The resolution also reinforces that Scouting is a youth program, and any sexual conduct, whether heterosexual or homosexual, by youth of Scouting age is contrary to the virtues of Scouting,” the 103-year-old organization said in a statement.

The BSA said there are no plans for further review of the issue.

“The Boy Scouts of America will not sacrifice its mission, or the youth served by the movement, by allowing the organization to be consumed by a single, divisive, and unresolved societal issue,” it said.

The vote followed months of intense debate among interest groups and within the ranks of Scouting itself.

In February, the Boy Scouts’ national executive board postponed a vote on the issue and ordered a survey of its members.

That survey showed an organization divided by age and, in some cases, by region.

While most adults in the Scouting community support the BSA’s current policy of “excluding open and avowed homosexuals, young parents and teens tend to oppose the policy.”

A BSA spokesman called the issue “among the most complex and challenging issues facing the BSA and society today.”

A recent Washington Post-ABC News Poll showed that 63% of Americans said they would support allowing gay youths to join the Boy Scouts.

The vote comes more than a decade after the Supreme Court ruled that the organization has the right to keep out gays but also at a time of declining participation in the American institution.

Membership in Boy Scouts has declined by about a third since 1999. About 2.7 million people now participate nationwide.

WASHINGTON – In advance of Memorial Day, the Respect for Marriage Coalition hosted a call featuring Former Congressman, Army Captain and Iraq War Veteran Patrick Murphy, Outserve-SLDN Executive Director Allyson Robinson, American Military Partner Association Director of Family Affairs Ashley Broadway and military widow Karen Morgan to highlight the harms of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) on the nation’s military and to urge the Supreme Court to strike down the discriminatory law and extend the freedom to marry nationwide.

According to Gallup, LGBT Americans make up 3.5 percent of the overall population. Assuming the same proportion of LGBT service members exists among the 1.5 million active and reserve members currently enlisted in the armed forces, between 50,000-60,000 members of the military would be unjustly affected by DOMA if or when they are married.

While DOMA harms all married same-sex couples, it is particularly hostile to those serving in the military, where 70 percent of an active-duty service member’s compensation comes in the form of benefits and allowances. Withholding such a significant portion of these benefits, which are intended to care for the spouse of a military member, inflicts significant financial burdens on military families headed by same-sex spouses.

“The harms of DOMA aren’t abstract—they are real tangible injustices that hurt children and their parents,” said former Congressman Patrick Murphy . “For those serving our country, equality delayed is equality denied. The same benefits and opportunities should be available to every service member and their family.”

Yesterday, Freedom to Marry and OutServe-SLDN released a video (see above) that tells that story of Karen Morgan who, because of DOMA, faces innumerable challenges following the loss of her wife, CW2 Charlie Morganof the New Hampshire National Guard.

“DOMA haunts almost every aspect of my family’s life, and it doesn’t measure up to our values of freedom and equality that we’ve set as a standard for our way of life in the United States,” said Morgan. “It’s time for the best of who we are as a nation to prevail so that equality is applied fairly to all the citizens of our country.”

“Chief Warrant Officer Charlie Morgan was a courageous fighter for our country, for her family, and for the equality of all who wear the uniform of our nation. Today, her wife Karen carries on that fight, a fight no military spouse should ever have to wage. The time has come to end the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and ensure equal recognition, benefits, and support for all loving and committed military couples and their families,” said Army veteran and OutServe-SLDN Executive Director Allyson Robinson .

Because DOMA defines marriage for federal purposes as “between one man and one woman,” same-sex military couples cannot qualify for many protections available to other couples, including health care, housing assistance, primary next of kin status and survivor’s benefits.

“For far too long, our LGBT military families have been treated as if they aren’t important and as if they don’t matter,” said Ashley Broadway of the American Military Partner Association, the nation’s premier resource and support network for LGBT military families. “We serve our nation, but without the same support and benefits needed to care for our families. For the sake of our children and family readiness, we must end the discrimination and exclusion caused by DOMA.”

Next month, the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule in United States v. Windsor, which challenges the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act. If DOMA is struck down, the Court’s ruling would have an historic and monumental impact in establishing equal treatment for all service members and their families.

Below are some of the specific benefits that are not extended to same-sex military families.

Billy Bean

ATLANTA – The Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation today announced that former major league baseball player Billy Bean has been named vice-chairman of its board. He will focus on helping professional leagues and athletes at all levels commit themselves to the fairness, equality, dignity and respect that defines true sportsmanship.

The Foundation, founded and chaired by rugby World Cup Champion Ben Cohen, MBE, is the world’s first dedicated to anti-bullying and equality in sports.  Billy Bean is the only out former major league baseball player.

“We believe it sends a powerful signal to all athletes and fans to see two highly accomplished professional sports stars, one straight and one gay, join forces to advance the acceptance and inclusion reshaping sports today,” said Patrick T. Davis, chief executive officer of StandUp.

Billy Bean played major league baseball from 1987 through 1995. He broke into the major leagues with the Detroit Tigers, and tied a major league record with four hits in his first major league game. He went on to play for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres. He kept his personal life a secret from the public and the sports world, before coming out as gay in 1999.

“I want people to learn from my pain and journey, not repeat it. My dream is to help end this social epidemic called bullying that so many kids are subjected to each and every day in locker rooms and on playing fields,” Billy Bean said. “I believe we are nearing that moment in time when athletes lead the way as role models for fairness once again. I am honored to serve StandUp as vice-chairman to help make that dream a reality.”

“Billy has worked tirelessly to dispel the myths and stereotypes that follow LGBT athletes. We can think of no better way to help create understanding, respect and real sportsmanship than from one major league athlete to another. It is at our core, and Billy will extend our work in professional sports,” said Ben Cohen.

“As an organization founded and led by a professional athlete, we can connect with other athletes and teams in especially authentic ways.  Ben and Billy know what it is like inside the teams.  We fund real-world work that makes an impact because we understand professional sports organizations and what their communities expect from them,” said Alison Doerfler, executive director of the Foundation.

Urging families to protect themselves from sexual indoctrination, Randy Thomasson of SaveCalifornia.org is encouraging families to keep their children home from school on and around Harvey Milk Day – May 22 – when schools beef up their educational materials to talk about the accomplishments of the slain gay rights activist and politician.

The day of special significance as it is called was signed into law  Oct. 11, 2009 by then Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and intended as a way for the California public school system to teach about Milk’s legacy in an age-appropriate way.

But family values groups like SaveCalifornia.org are having none of it. ”Children belong to their parents, not to the government. And so, if government schools are sexually indoctrinating children, it’s up to the parents to number one, protect their children and two, protest and tell these schools don’t do it again,” says Randy Thomasson.

His site is filled with all the trademark warnings about ‘sexual indoctrination’ and “predatory” behavior that have become staples of the “pro” family movement and the backbone for arguments to encourage boycotts. There is even a three-minute video on the site, complete with a dramatic, staccato-style piano score, that highlights Milk’s past including his having had multiple partners and supporting same-sex marriage. (Ironically, the source for all this vice? None other than Randy Shilts, reported as a “reputable” source in their video and, however full of journalistic integrity, died from living the very lifestyle Thomasson and his ilk so readily condemn.)

“That’s traumatic for children, to be forced into this, to be made sexually uncomfortable by their own teachers and their own principal,” warns Thomasson, although short on proof that Milk’s sex life is the purpose of these lessons in the first place.

(CNN) — Kaitlyn Hunt’s supporters say she is being prosecuted because she was in a sexual relationship with someone of the same sex. Authorities say it isn’t a gay rights issue at all, but rather a simple case of an adult inappropriately involved with a minor.

As public outrage mounts, fueled by Internet activism, 18-year-old Hunt has until Friday to decide whether she’ll accept a plea deal or go to trial for her relationship with a 14-year-old schoolmate.

Hunt is charged with two felony counts of lewd and lascivious battery in the relationship that the young woman and her parents say was consensual. The students attended Sebastian River High School in Sebastian, Florida,

While some of the 150,00 people signing an online petition asking prosecutors to drop the case have suggested that it’s being handled differently because it involves a same-sex relationship, Indian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar said that has nothing to do with it.

“If this was an 18-year-old male and that was a 14-year-old girl, it would have been prosecuted the same way,” he said.

CNN legal analyst Sunny Hostin concurs, saying whether the people involved are same-sex or opposite-sex, the legal issues are the same.

“A kid, a child under the age of 16, cannot consent to having sexual relations with an 18-year-old, an adult under the eyes of the law,” she said. “And that really is all this case comes down to when you look at it legally.”

The Indian River State Attorney’s Office has offered a plea deal that would reduce the charges to third-degree child abuse. As part of the package, she would get a year of probation and two years of monitoring, meaning she would have to wear an ankle bracelet.

It would be up to a judge to decide if she would be labeled a felon as she moves forward in life.

Her lawyer, Julia Graves, is asking that “common sense” prevail and that the charges be reduced to a misdemeanor.

“This is a life sentence for behavior that is all too common, whether male, female, gay, straight,” Graves said at a Wednesday news conference. “High school relationships may be fleeting, but felony convictions are forever.”

Charles Sullivan, an attorney for the 14-year-old, told CNN affiliate WPTV that the plea deal is fair.

“It takes into account the seriousness of the offense. It takes into account that it’s a violation of Florida law,” he said. “The plea offer allows her to enter a plea that she will not go to jail and she will not be labeled as a sex offender, so there’s no argument that her life is being ruined by this plea offer.”

A sometimes tearful Hunt said the whole thing frightens her.

“I’m scared of losing my life, the rest of my life, and not being able to go to college or be around kids, be around my sisters and my family,” she said, acknowledging the whirlwind that has surrounded her since the family went public with the story. “Definitely overwhelming to say the least. … Just kind of hopeful, hopeful for the best.”

Prosecutors have said they will not bend on the plea deal.

(CNN) — The eyes of the country will be upon Texas on Thursday.

That’s where 1,400 members of the Boy Scouts of America’s national council are expected to vote on whether to end the 103-year-old group’s outright ban on gay youths.

The outcome, to be announced late afternoon, follows months of intense debate among interest groups and within the ranks of scouting itself.

It comes down to a single sentence at the end of a resolution.

“No youth may be denied membership in the Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone.”

If the policy change is approved, the BSA will maintain its ban on openly gay adult leaders.

In February, the Boy Scouts’ national executive board postponed a vote on the issue and ordered a survey of its members. That survey showed an organization that is divided — by age and, in some cases, by region.

While most adults in the scouting community support the BSA current policy of “excluding open and avowed homosexuals, young parents and teens tend to oppose the policy.”

A BSA spokesman conceded the issue was “among the most complex and challenging issues facing the BSA and society today.”

A recent Washington Post-ABC News Poll showed that 63% of Americans support allowing gay youths to join the Boy Scouts.

But 61% of surveyed adult members say they support the current BSA policy, which excludes gay youths and adult leaders, the group said.

The vote comes more than a decade after a Supreme Court ruling that found the organization has the right to keep gays out, but also amid declining participation in the venerable American institution.

Membership in Boy Scouts has declined by about a third since 1999. About 2.7 million people now participate nationwide.

The Boy Scouts relies on “chartered organizations” to provide facilities and sponsorship for the individual units.

More than 70% of troops are affiliated with a church or religious groups. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Catholic Church sponsor 43% of Scout troops in the country.

In April, the Utah-based Mormons said, “while the church has not launched any campaign either to effect or prevent a policy change, we have followed the discussion and are satisfied that BSA has made a thoughtful, good-faith effort to address issues …”

The vote could have an impact in at least two Western states

If the policy proposal is approved, 97% of chartered organizations in the heavily Mormon populated states of Utah and Idaho would be likely to leave the organization, local councils say.

The Catholic Church in the United States says it will strive to maintain ties with the BSA, regardless of the outcome.

“We would hope that the Boy Scouts of America will continue to provide young people a formative experience grounded in virtue and directed by service to God and others,” the National Catholic Committee on Scouting said in February.

A full picture of opinions was not captured in the survey, according to the BSA.

“When the survey process was originally announced, several chartered organizations, including the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Baptist church, and many parents asked that their youth members not be contacted as part of the survey.”

There’s been no shortage of lobbying on the issue, which will be taken up at the BSA’s annual meeting in Grapevine, Texas.

“This (current) ban hurts kids and undermines key scouting values like helpfulness, friendliness and courteousness,” says the Human Rights Campaign. “It’s time to send a message of inclusion — not discrimination.”

James Dale, an Eagle Scout and former assistant troop leader who was kicked out of the Boy Scouts in 1990 because he is gay, said the issue is about fairness.

“Each of us has the power to make positive change,” he says in a video posted by GLAAD (The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation).

In an opinion piece for USA Today on Wednesday, BSA President Wayne Perry endorsed the policy change. “Parents, adults in the Scouting community and teens alike tend to agree that youth should not be denied the benefits of Scouting,” Perry wrote. “The resolution is not about adults; it is about what is best for young people.”

Conservative groups and some religious organizations have argued against making any change, saying it would dilute the Boy Scout message of morality and potentially destroy the organization.

The Family Research Council says the vote is “critically important to the future of the Scouts and the moral fiber of our nation.”

It urged people to visit OnMyHonor.net, a group opposing the policy change, to send their thoughts to scout leaders and executives.

That website reposted an article by the president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, who said the BSA was “at the brink.”

“The culture wars came to the Boy Scouts many years ago. For the last few decades, the Boy Scouts have had to fight battles with both secularists and homosexual activists,” wrote R. Albert Mohler Jr.

“How, exactly, are openly gay boys to be included in the activities of scouting? We are talking about boys who will now be expected to participate in everything from camping trips to travel with boys who are openly gay,” says Mohler. “Boys of these ages just might be the least equipped of all God’s creatures to deal with the complexities of the situation. Most parents are likely to decide that, all things considered, this is just not something they want imposed on their sons.”

President Barack Obama has been become outspoken in his support of gay rights and same-sex marriage.

When asked about the BSA policy in February, White House spokesman Jay Carney said Obama believes the Boy Scouts is a valuable organization that has helped educate and build character in American boys

“He also, as you know, opposes discrimination in all forms. And as such, believes — that gay Americans ought to be able to participate in the Boy Scouts. But in terms of the process of their evaluation of their policies, I don’t have a comment.”

If approved, the new BSA rules would take effect January 1.

The board of directors of San Diego LGBT Pride  announced today that Stephen Whitburn will continue to head the organization as its general manager. Whitburn had held the position in an interim capacity since January.

San Diego Pride’s previous director, Dwayne Crenshaw, departed the organization amid his recent run for a seat on the San Diego City Council. The board moved quickly following the news that Labor coordinator and former police lieutenant Myrtle Cole had defeated Crenshaw in the race for the District 4 seat.

“This is a seamless transition for us,” said board co-chair Joe Mayer. “For several months, Stephen has been leading the team preparing for this year’s Pride weekend, and we are excited about how the celebration is coming together.”

“We congratulate Dwayne on his strong candidacy as a visible member of the LGBT community,” said board cochair Ebony Aldridge, “and we congratulate Myrtle Cole on her election to the seat.”

San Diego Pride will be held the weekend of July 12-14 beginning with the rally and the block party on Friday night, the parade on Saturday, and the festival both Saturday and Sunday. An estimated quarter million people will participate in this year’s festivities.

(CNN) — E.W. Jackson, Virginia’s new Republican nominee for lieutenant governor, said he has nothing to apologize for regarding his startling past comments about abortion, race and homosexuality.

“I say the things that I say because I’m a Christian, not because I hate anybody, but because I have religious values that matter to me,” Jackson told reporters Tuesday at a Fredericksburg campaign stop, according to the Washington Post.

“Attacking me because I hold to those principles is attacking every church-going person, every family that’s living a traditional family life, everybody who believes that we all deserve the right to live,” he continued. “So I don’t have anything to rephrase or apologize for. I would just say people should not paint me as one-dimensional.”

An African-American pastor and attorney from Chesapeake, Jackson has compared Planned Parenthood to the Ku Klux Klan and hammered African-Americans for their “slavish devotion” to the Democratic Party.

He has also referred to gays and lesbians as “sick people psychologically, mentally and emotionally.”

After Republican activists nominated Jackson at their party’s convention in Richmond last weekend, Democrats began bringing Jackson’s past statements into the limelight, seeking to discredit the conservative ticket, which includes gubernatorial nominee Ken Cuccinelli, at the top.

Cuccinelli, the state Attorney General, will likely face Democrat Terry McAuliffe, the former Democratic National Committee chairman, in the November election. Democrats will formally decide their nominee in a June 11 primary.

Poll numbers so far show neither party with a sizable lead in the race, less than six months before Election Day. Because Virginia voters elect the governor and lieutenant governor separately, it’s possible that the winners could be from different parties.

Cindy McCain

The Trevor Project will honor philanthropist Cindy McCain with the Trevor Hero Award at  TrevorLIVE New York at Chelsea Piers for her ongoing support of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community. The award will be presented to McCain by her daughter Meghan McCain  Monday, June 17 at The Trevor Project’s signature annual event which brings together top entertainers, advocates and corporate leaders to support the organization’s life-saving, life-affirming work for LGBT and questioning youth in crisis.

“As a parent you make your best efforts to teach your children everything but there’s always that moment of realization when your child has taught you something,” said McCain. “That’s how I became an advocate to the LGBT community – through my children who taught me that love is love. I’m thrilled to have been selected by The Trevor Project but I share this honor with my children.”

“Cindy McCain has not been afraid to show her support for the LGBT community,” said Abbe Land, Executive Director and CEO of The Trevor Project. “She has become a positive and powerful advocate in helping change attitudes and making the world a better place for LGBTQ youth.”

McCain is known for lending her time and talent to increase awareness of international health organizations. As an advocate for children’s health care needs, Cindy led 55 medical missions to third world and war-torn countries with the American Voluntary Medical Team. On one of those missions, Mother Teresa encouraged Cindy to take two infants in need of medical attention to the United States. Cindy later adopted one of those children, her 21-year-old daughter, Bridget McCain.

McCain is a proponent of marriage equality and most recently was cast in Dustin Lance Black’s acclaimed play 8. A member of the Board of Trustees for the HALO Trust, McCain has also served on the Board of Directors for Operation Smile, was a Founding Member of the Eastern Congo Initiative, and recently joined the board of the Special Olympics Los Angeles 2015 summer games.

Anthony Weiner Photo: CNN

(CNN) — Nearly half of New York City voters don’t think Anthony Weiner should run for mayor this year, according to a new poll.

But according to the Quinnipiac University poll, Weiner, who announced his candidacy for mayor early Wednesday morning, is in second place in the battle for the city’s Democratic nomination.

The congressman, who was in his seventh term representing parts of the New York City boroughs of Queens and Brooklyn, resigned from the House in 2011 amid scandal over lewd photos sent via Twitter. He’s now seeking political redemption by making his third bid for mayor.

And Weiner’s announcement comes just two weeks after another politician whose career was left for dead following an infamous affair, former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, made a huge comeback by winning a special election to fill a vacant congressional seat.

According to the poll, which was conducted in the week before Weiner’s announcement, 49% of New York City voters said Weiner should not run for mayor, with 38% saying he should make a bid and 12% unsure. The 49% figure is up five percentage points from a Quinnipiac poll conducted in mid-April. The survey indicates Democratic voters are divided, with 41% saying Weiner should run and 44% disagreeing.

Weiner’s entry into the race finds him in the second spot for his party’s nomination, according to the poll, with 15% of registered Democrats saying they would vote for Weiner if the primary were held today. City Council Speaker Christine Quinn remains in the top spot, at 25%. Quinn has long been the Democratic front-runner in the race, and if she’s elected in the November general election, she’ll become Gotham’s first female and first openly gay mayor.

“With former Congressman Anthony Weiner seeking the Democratic nod, it still looks like Council Speaker Christine Quinn against the guys,” said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, in a statement hours prior to Weiner’s announcement.

“But where she once was brushing up against the magic 40% number that could get her past a run-off, the wear and tear of the campaign, and possibly the addition of Weiner, are taking a toll on the front-runner,” Carroll added.

The other Democratic candidates are at 10% or less in the survey, with more than a quarter of voters undecided. The poll also indicates that at this stage in the campaign, the eventual Democratic nominee would be the front-runner in the November election.

The Quinnipiac University poll was conducted May 14-20, with 1,802 New York City voters, including 701 registered Democrats, questioned by telephone. The survey’s overall sampling error is plus or minus three percentage points, with a plus or minus 3.7 percentage points for Democratic primary questions.

Patrick Leahy

WASHINGTON (CNN) — As the Senate Judiciary Committee neared completion of its consideration of comprehensive immigration reform legislation on Tuesday, it remained unclear whether the panel’s top Democrat would move forward with a pair of controversial gay rights amendments vehemently opposed by congressional Republicans.

The amendments, backed by Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, would recognize same-sex marriages in which one spouse is an American, and also would allow U.S. citizens to sponsor foreign-born same-sex partners for green cards given proof of a committed relationship.

Contacted by CNN, a Leahy spokeswoman would not say whether the senator would put the measures to a vote. Leahy said Tuesday that it’s possible the panel will complete its work on the bill by the end of the day.

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, the most prominent Republican in the bipartisan “Gang of Eight” senators responsible for crafting the 844-page bill, has publicly warned that Leahy’s amendments are a poison pill that will destroy any GOP support for the measure.

If Leahy withdraws the amendments on the committee level, he could offer them again when the bill is taken up by the full Senate. Doing so would be little more than a symbolic gesture, however, as the proposals have virtually no chance of winning the 60 votes almost certainly needed to clear the 100-member chamber.

A spokesman for the Immigration Equality Action Fund, which promotes equality in immigration laws for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals, told CNN that gay rights advocates had been repeatedly misled by two key Democrats on the Judiciary Committee — Chuck Schumer of New York and Richard Durbin of Illinois, who are also part of the “Gang of Eight.”

“It is important to note that, when the Senate immigration framework (which Schumer and Durbin helped write) did not include LGBT couples, both senators assured our families they would be in the base bill,” Steve Rall said in an e-mail.

“When the base bill (which they also helped write) was not inclusive, they assured us we would receive a vote in committee. Now, they may be on the verge of breaking a third promise to LGBT families.”

“While Senator Leahy has stuck his neck out for LGBT couples, Schumer has remained notably silent,” Rall continued. “Despite Leahy’s leadership on the issue, if Schumer does not commit to casting the decisive 10th (committee) vote in favor of the amendments, they would not succeed.”

Schumer’s office did not respond to a request for comment.

But Max Gleischman, a spokesman for Durbin, told CNN that “Senator Durbin strongly supports equality for binational LGBT couples. While Senator Durbin supported including (Leahy’s proposal) in the base bill, he was one of eight members who negotiated a bipartisan compromise.”

“Immigration Equality’s decision to take pot shots at one of their strongest supporters is unfortunate, but Senator Durbin will continue to push for an immigration bill that is fair and just for everyone as the debate moves forward,” Gleischman added.

Earlier this month, Durbin noted the possibility that an upcoming ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court on the federal Defense of Marriage Act could render the whole issue moot.

“The DOMA ruling could change this whole debate,” Durbin said. “They could eliminate DOMA and impose obligations on our federal government (relating to) same gender marriage, and that would dramatically change what we’re trying to achieve.”

The Gang of Eight’s bill creates a 13-year path to citizenship for most undocumented immigrants while strengthening border security and bringing dramatic change to labor policy on America’s farms.

If enacted, the plan would constitute the first overhaul of the nation’s immigration policy since 1986.

Proponents say the change is necessary to permanently and fairly resolve the status of roughly 11 million undocumented residents. Critics insist the proposed change amounts to amnesty, rewarding those who chose to break the country’s immigration laws.

Several Democrats and Republicans in the House of Representatives are currently working on a separate immigration reform plan.

(CNN) — After years of controversy, the latest version of the “psychiatric bible” — the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders — has been released.

The DSM-5 (fifth edition)’s introduction, over the weekend at the American Psychiatric Association’s annual meeting, marks “the end of more than a decade’s journey in revising the criteria for the diagnosis and classification of mental disorders,” the association says on the DSM-5 website.

The manual includes the criteria used by mental health professionals to diagnose patients. It’s also used by insurance companies, schools and other agencies responsible for covering and creating special provisions for individuals with developmental or mental disorders.

The overhaul — the first for the DSM since 1994 — has not come without opposition from activists, some grass-roots organizations and even the National Institute of Mental Health, which last month said it was launching a project aimed at laying the foundation for a new classification system and would be “re-orienting its research away from DSM categories.”

Here are five ways the DSM changes may affect you:

Being transgender no longer a mental disorder

The DSM-5 eliminates the term “gender identity disorder,” which mental health specialists, along with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender activists, had considered stigmatizing. It refers to “gender dysphoria,” which focuses attention only on those who feel distressed by their gender identity.

“I think it’s a significant change,” Jack Drescher, a member of the psychiatric association group that recommended the change, said late last year. “It’s clinically defensible, but it reduces the amount of stigma and harm that existed before.”

Homosexuality was removed from the DSM in 1973, a move he believes changed global views.

Some LGBT activists applauded the change, while others have questioned whether it goes far enough.

Bereavement or depression?

Previously, clinicians were advised against diagnosing major depression in people within two months after the death of a loved one: the “bereavement exclusion.”

The DSM-5 removes the exclusion, a move the psychiatric association says “helps prevent major depression from being overlooked and facilitates the possibility of appropriate treatment including therapy or other interventions.”

Research has shown that for some people, the death of a loved one can precipitate major depression — much like other stressors such as losing a job, the association says on the DSM-5 website. But “bereavement is the only life event and stressor specifically excluded from a diagnoses of major depression” in previous manuals.

Binge eating is officially an eating disorder

Binge eating was approved as its own category of eating disorder in the DSM-5. It’s defined as “recurring episodes of eating significantly more food in a short period of time than most people would eat under similar circumstances, with episodes marked by feelings of lack of control.”

According to the association, the move is aimed at “increasing awareness of the substantial differences between binge eating disorder and the common phenomenon of overeating. While overeating is a challenge for many Americans, recurrent binge eating is much less common, far more severe, and is associated with significant physical and psychological problems.”

Binge drinkers may be diagnosed as mild alcoholics

The revised DSM collapses the medical distinction between problem drinking and alcoholism. Some experts say this could lead college binge drinkers, for example, to be mislabeled as alcoholics, a diagnosis that may follow them into adulthood.

Prior DSM editions included “alcohol abuse,” along with the more serious “dependence.” However, the DSM-5 will make “alcohol use disorder” a single condition.

“The field of substance abuse and addiction has witnessed an explosion in important research in the past two decades,” said Dr. David Kupfer, chairman of the DSM-5 Task Force, in a February statement. The changes “reflect the best science in the field and provide new clarity in how to diagnose these disorders.”

Asperger’s syndrome becomes autism spectrum disorder

The proposal to group Asperger’s and other developmental conditions together generated a flurry of comments and concerns. In 2010, when the change was proposed, the Asperger’s Association of New England, a nonprofit organization with more than 3,000 members, wrote a letter to the American Psychiatric Association emphasizing that Asperger’s should remain separate.

But “the revised diagnosis represents a new, more accurate, and medically and scientifically useful way of diagnosing individuals with autism-related disorders,” the national group says on the DSM-5 website.

The work group that recommended the change “believes a single umbrella disorder will improve the diagnoses of ASD without limiting the sensitivity of the criteria, or substantially changing the number of children being diagnosed.”

In a statement on its website Tuesday, the New England association assures its members, “regardless of your diagnosis or label, we will continue to provide a gathering place where members of the Asperger’s community can connect to one another.”

WASHINGTON, D.C., – Peace Corps Deputy Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet today announced that the agency will begin accepting applications from same-sex domestic partners who want to serve together as volunteers overseas.  Same-sex couples may begin the application process starting Monday, June 3.

“Service in the Peace Corps is a life-defining leadership experience for Americans who want to make a difference around the world,” Deputy Director Hessler-Radelet said. “I am proud that the agency is taking this important step forward to allow same-sex domestic partners to serve overseas together.”

Expanding service opportunities to same-sex domestic partners who want to volunteer together further diversifies the pool of Peace Corps applicants and the skills of those invited to serve overseas in the fields of education, health, community economic development, environment, youth in development and agriculture. Married heterosexual couples have been serving together in the Peace Corps since its inception in 1961. Currently, 7 percent of Peace Corps assignments are filled by married volunteers serving together.

The Peace Corps requires formal documentation for all couples who want to serve, and same-sex domestic partners will be required to sign an affidavit before leaving for service that will act as verification of their relationship. The Peace Corps continually works with staff in host countries to identify placements that allow for safe and productive assignments.

Couples who serve together gain a unique perspective of host country customs and culture, but opportunities for couples are limited, as both applicants must apply at the same time and qualify for assignments at the same post. Many factors affect placements, including an applicant’s overall competitiveness, program availability, departure dates, and safety and medical accommodations. For any applicant, the number one factor in determining an assignment is the demand from host countries for skilled volunteers.

To learn more about serving in the Peace Corps as a same-sex couple, visit peacecorps.gov

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Wednesday, May 22, the White House will honor ten openly LGBT elected or appointed officials as “Harvey Milk Champions of Change.”  The event falls on Harvey Milk’s birthday and will recognize these individuals for their commitment to equality and public service.

“When President Obama posthumously awarded Harvey Milk the Medal of Freedom in 2009, he praised his leadership and courage in running for office.  Today, we honor Harvey Milk’s legacy in these ten outstanding public servants, who will surely inspire the next generation of public servants,” said Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor to the president.

The Champions of Change program was created as an opportunity for the White house to feature groups of Americans – individuals, businesses and organizations – who are doing extraordinary things to empower and inspire members of their communities.

Simone Bell

Georgia State Representative

Atlanta, GA

Simone Bell serves in Georgia House District 58 in Atlanta, Georgia. After more than 20 years of advocacy and activism around a host of issues she won a special election in 2009 and became the first African American out lesbian to win a seat in a State House in the United States. Representative Bell serves on Inter-Governmental Coordination, Juvenile Justice, and Human Relations and Aging committees, and is a respected member of the Democratic Caucus WHIP Team. Representative Bell shares her life with her partner of 24 years, Valarie Acree.

Buhl O’Donnell

South Dakota State Senator

Sioux Falls, SD

Senator Buhl O’Donnell, 28, is in her second term in the South Dakota State Senate, serves as the minority caucus chair, and is the first openly LGBT person elected to any office in the state.  Senator Buhl O’Donnell has a background in non-profit work, and has advocated for LGBT South Dakotans, as well as for women, Native Americans, workers, low-income families, domestic violence and sexual assault victims.  A proud 4th generation South Dakotan, Senator Buhl O’Donnell represents the heart of Sioux Falls, South Dakota’s largest city, where she resides with her husband, Jacob.

Karen Clark

Minnesota State Representative

South Minneapolis, MN

Representative Karen Clark was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1980, making her the longest serving openly gay or lesbian state legislator in the country.  She represents three inner city neighborhoods in South Minneapolis, the lowest income district in the state.  Representative Clark is an advocate for low income, Indigenous American Indian and community of color constituents, including many new Americans.  A former public health nurse, current college instructor and co-founder of the Women’s Environmental Institute, some of Representative Clark’s major legislative accomplishments include chief authoring and passing worker and consumer right-to-know toxic exposure laws, affordable housing and homelessness initiatives, youth and dislocated worker job training strategies and numerous  human rights, environmental justice  and anti-discrimination protections. Recently, Representative Clark authored and helped pass the 2013 Minnesota Freedom to Marry bill with bi-partisan support.

Michael A. Gin

Mayor of Redondo Beach

Redondo Beach, CA

Mayor Michael A. Gin is currently serving on his second term as the 28th Mayor of the City of Redondo Beach, having been reelected in March 2009.  As Mayor, he has seen the city through several years of economic challenges with a consistently balanced budget and a thriving local economy.  He has worked to bring the community together from all sectors on various issues, resulting in uniquely collaborative solutions.  Mayor Gin has been in public service for over 20 years.

Kim Coco Iwamoto

Hawaii State Civil Rights Commissioner

Honolulu, HI

Kim Coco Iwamoto, a certified therapeutic foster parent, was elected to Hawaii’s State Board of Education in 2006 and re-elected in 2010.  During her time in office, Commissioner Iwamoto was able to implement many of the policy recommendations of the Department of Education’s Safe School Community Advisory Committee, and in 2011, she drafted the Hawaii Safe Schools Act, which gave the legislature and the governor an opportunity to join the effort to reduce bullying and harassment in public schools.  The bill was signed into law later that year.  In 2012, Commissioner Iwamoto was appointed and confirmed to the Hawaii State Civil Rights Commission.

John Laird

California Secretary of Natural Resources

Santa Cruz, CA

John Laird has a forty year public service career, including twenty-three years in elected office.  In 1983, he was one of the first openly gay Mayors in the country.  His election to the state legislature in 2002 made him one of the first openly gay men elected to the California legislature, where he was author of 82 bills signed into law and was part of leadership as Budget Chair. He was appointed California’s Secretary of Natural Resources on January 5, 2011.  Secretary Laird resides in Santa Cruz and Sacramento, with his spouse John Flores.

Ricardo Lara

California State Senator

Long Beach, CA

In 2012, Senator Ricardo Lara, a native of East Los Angeles, became the first openly gay person of color elected to the California State Senate.  He is the first LGBT legislator to Chair the California Latino Legislative Caucus and also serves as Vice Chair of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee and as a member of the Committee on Senate Rules.  Senator Lara represents parts of Southeast Los Angeles and Long Beach, which is home to the nation’s largest port complex and one of the most diverse populations in the United States.

Kim Painter

Johnson Country Recorder

Iowa City, IA

Kim Painter serves as Johnson County Recorder in Iowa City, Iowa.  In 1998, she became the first openly gay person to win election to public office in Iowa.  In 2007, she was selected by peers to serve as president of the Iowa State Association of Counties.  She has also chaired Iowa’s Commission on the Status of Women.  She and spouse Jessica Kardon have been together for 17 years. They married in Iowa in 2009.

Chris Seelbach

Cincinnati City Council Member

Cincinnati, OH

When he was elected in 2011, Chris Seelbach became the first openly gay person ever elected in the city of Cincinnati.  Since taking office, Council Member Seelbach has led efforts to extend equal partner health insurance to all city employees, create an LGBT liaison in the police and fire departments, and make it mandatory for anyone accepting subsidies or funding from the city to agree, in writing, to follow an inclusive non-discrimination policy.

Pat Steadman

Colorado State Senator

Denver, CO

An attorney by training, Senator Pat Steadman has worked for equal rights for LGBT Coloradans for over two decades.  In 1992, he helped organize the lawsuit challenging Colorado’s infamous “Amendment 2,” an anti-gay initiative that was declared unconstitutional by the United State Supreme Court in 1996 in the landmark Romer v. Evans ruling.  Prior to his election, Senator Steadman was a partner in a successful lobbying firm in Denver where his clients included LGBT advocacy groups, and on their behalf he championed anti-discrimination laws, second parent adoption, hate crimes protections and equal benefits laws.  Senator Steadman was the lead sponsor of Colorado’s recently enacted civil unions law.

Sally Ride

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, President Barack Obama announced he will award a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom to Dr. Sally Ride, the first American female astronaut to travel to space.  The Medal of Freedom is the Nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.

President Obama said, “We remember Sally Ride not just as a national hero, but as a role model to generations of young women. Sally inspired us to reach for the stars, and she advocated for a greater focus on the science, technology, engineering and math that would help us get there. Sally showed us that there are no limits to what we can achieve, and I look forward to welcoming her family to the White House as we celebrate her life and legacy.”

Americans were first introduced to Dr. Sally Ride when she traveled on the Space Shuttle in 1983.  After leaving NASA in 1987, she focused her efforts on science education and on teaching girls in particular that there are no limits to what they can accomplish.  Dr. Ride founded Sally Ride Science in 2001 to develop and provide classroom materials, programs, and professional development opportunities for K-12 science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) educators.  She placed a strong emphasis on gender and racial equality in the classroom and on introducing students to working scientists, engineers and mathematicians who exemplified this diversity in their respective fields.  Dr. Ride was one of the architects and drivers of the Administration’s ongoing efforts to maximize participation of underrepresented groups in STEM classes and careers. And her devotion to the exploration of space never wavered, as multiple Administrations, including President Obama’s, called on Dr. Ride to serve on advisory boards focused on national space exploration efforts.

Dr. Ride’s partner, mother, and sister were notified last week of the president’s decision to award her with the Nation’s highest civilian honor for her contributions to the U.S. space program and education system. The remainder of the honorees selected by the president will be announced over the coming weeks and the awards will be presented at a White House ceremony later this year.

LOS ANGELES — In an effort to encourage condom use and safer sex practices, the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health will begin distributing its official “L.A. Condom” in a 40-foot condom mobile that made its debut at Long Beach Pride. Condoms being distributed feature new wrappers designed by local residents as part of last summer’s “L.A. Condom” wrapper design contest.

The goal of the campaign is to distribute one million and one (1,000,001) condoms by the end of 2013. To help distribute the condoms, the campaign also announced that it is partnering with local lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) intramural sports leagues, including the Los Angeles Flag Football League, Lambda Basketball and The Greater Los Angeles Softball Association. Other sports and activity groups are also encouraged to sign up for the condom distribution program.

Team members from the LA Flag Football League, Lambda Basketball and The Greater L.A. Softball Association also volunteered to be featured in the new campaign ads.

“Gay athletes have always been in sports and we’re delighted some professional athletes have made steps to live their life honestly in the public’s eye. We’re hopeful that this recent attention can help Lambda Basketball shine a light on causes important to us,” said Garsten Bergquist, vice president, Lambda Basketball. “Health education and community service are a part of our mission, so we’re happy to help promote a healthy lifestyle – whether it’s staying active by playing in a team sport or by using condoms and getting tested regularly for HIV or STDs.”

“Some of the guys I play with were not out of the closet when they first joined the LA Flag Football League. Our group is so diverse and inclusive that we even have straight guys that play football with us,” said Ralph Sansano of the gay Los Angeles Flag Football League. “We’re happy to break stereotypes of what it means to be gay, bisexual or even straight. And we’re also proud to be out in the community to help promote safer sex and condoms.”

“Since 1978, we’ve been a safe place for the LGBT community to play competitive softball,” said Ken Scearce, commissioner of The Greater Los Angeles Softball Association. “HIV is still a reality in our community and condoms are still the most effective way to prevent it. So, we’re happy to spread the word and distribute some free condoms during Pride season and at our upcoming events.”

Last June, L.A. County Public Health’s Division of HIV and STD Programs announced the winners of its first-ever condom contest to design an official Los Angeles branded condom wrapper. The contest received over 500 entries with more than 185,000 online votes cast.

An estimated 2,000 new HIV infections occur annually in L.A. County.  In 2011, the Department of Public Health reported more than 47,500 new cases of chlamydia, more than 9,500 new cases of gonorrhea and nearly 1,800 new cases of syphilis.

The L.A. Sex Symbol program is funded by the County of Los Angeles, Department of Public Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This initiative is intended to increase condom use, drive awareness of HIV and STD prevention, and provide information about HIV/AIDS and STD treatment and care.